Gaborone, Botswana (Dec. 1, 2001)—Building on the initial facility dedicated on February 15,2000, one of the largest and most sophisticated laboratory and training centers dedicated to HIV opened in Botswana today, World AIDS Day, enabling researchers to develop and implement interventions to stem the AIDS epidemic. The new three level 25,000 square foot (2,300 square meter) facility will house epidemiologic and laboratory-based research on the prevention of mother-to-infant transmission, AIDS treatment, and vaccine design and testing. The research initiatives focus on HIV-1 subtype C, the viral subtype predominant in southern Africa and the subtype causing the highest numbers of new HIV infection worldwide.

The new laboratory will not only serve as the central facility for testing clinical specimens for research studies, but will also process samples from the National Antiretroviral Therapy Program of the Government of Botswana, an initiative designed to confront AIDS in Botswana by providing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) through the public health system. By aligning with the HIV and AIDS agenda and strategies of the Botswana government, the laboratory will be better positioned to help in the development of effective HIV-1C treatment and prevention programs in Botswana and the entire region of southern Africa.

"Although many international communities have applauded Botswana’s campaign against HIV and AIDS, there is still much work to be done," says Leonard Manthe, Assistant Director, Department of Technical Support Services, Ministry of Health of Botswana. "This laboratory will demonstrate that we will not only commit our resources to end the epidemic, but we will place HIV research at the top of our political, economic, and social agendas."

The research initiatives at the laboratory aim to better understand the complexities of HIV-1C. To achieve this, the laboratory conducts a range of studies, such as research on the molecular characterization of HIV-1C, antiretroviral therapy and drug resistance, HIV behavioral components, and the details of the immune response to HIV-1C.

"The technical research capacity of this laboratory is among the best in the world," said Max Essex, chair of HAI. "Many of the advanced research techniques that we are able to perform here, such as qualitative PCR tests, viral genome analysis, and infectivity serologic assays, are found only in the world’s top research centers."

The initial facility was already a joint project of the Ministry of Health of Botswana and HAI. Bristol Myers Squibb "Secure the Future" initiative joined the Partnership and provided a US$4.9 million grant toward laboratory infrastructure, training of technicians, and the launching of the first combination antiretroviral study in Botswana.

The new HIV reference laboratory is being funded by the Ministry of Health of Botswana, and additional funding for equipment and training capacity has been provided by HAI, the Bristol-Myers Squibb "Secure the Future" initiative, the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships, the Oak Foundation, and other donors.

Although Botswana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, the country’s response to the epidemic is serving as a model for other nations affected by AIDS. The government continues to increase its capacity to respond to the epidemic. The opening of this lab reinforces the fact that the government of Botswana has not only dedicated its resources to build this lab, but has made HIV research and training a priority.

In addition to its research capacity, the laboratory will also serve as a training facility, aiming to build professional infrastructure and develop a team of Botswana scientists and technicians trained to conduct sophisticated clinical research.

Researchers from the laboratory will also serve as faculty for the KITSO AIDS Training Program, an educational initiative that trains health care providers to care for those affected by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, "In the laboratory, we will be using cutting edge techniques in HIV research. The same use of technology is applied to our educational initiatives. KITSO, for example, uses a variety of appropriate and sustainable training techniques to bring the latest AIDS care information to health care providers in Botswana. Our commitment to innovation continues to expand the boundaries of HIV research and training," says Richard Marlink, executive director of HAI. KITSO is funded by the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships.

Secure the Future is the US$115 million commitment by Bristol Myers Squibb to fund efforts for sustainable and relevant solutions to the management of HIV/AIDS in women and children and provide resources to improve community education and patient support in five countries in southern Africa and four in West Africa. Secure the Future began as a five-year US$100 million commitment to southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland—then on March 14, 2001 Bristol-Myers Squibb pledged an additional US$15 million for four countries in western Africa: Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

The African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships is a joint effort of the Republic of Botswana, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Merck & Co., Inc./The Merck Company Foundation to support the anti-AIDS efforts of Botswana by significantly advancing HIV/AIDS prevention, healthcare access, patient management and treatment of HIV in Botswana. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $50 million. Merck & Co. is also donating antiretroviral medicines (Crixivan® and Stocrin®) for appropriate treatment programs developed by the Republic of Botswana (and in accordance with nationally approved guidelines) for the duration of the program.

HAI, based at Harvard University, is dedicated to conducting and catalyzing international research and training to end the worldwide AIDS epidemic. The Botswana-Harvard Partnership was created by the Government of Botswana and HAI in 1996 to jointly confront the AIDS epidemic in Botswana and southern Africa.

For more information contact:

Ria Madison
Botswana-Harvard Partnership
+267-302-671