The 25th International AIDS Conference

10:00 - 10:30 am
Behind the scenes: continuous improvement of HIV antibody & antigen diagnostics at Roche
Tobias Holm, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics
Alexander Riedel, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics

It's clear that the landscape of HIV diagnostics is evolving rapidly due to factors such as increased access to antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. These advancements have led to a need for improved test performance in terms of altered seroconversion and sensitivity requirements. Roche Diagnostics is committed to addressing these challenges by continuously enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of our serological HIV tests. The development of the new generation Elecsys HIV Duo Test is a testament to this dedication. If you need further information or details, feel free to ask!

11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tried & Tested: Lab Technician Cynthia Kasonde Shares Her Journey Fighting HIV/AIDS Through Diagnostics
Cynthia Kasonde, Senior Biomedical/ Quality Assurance Officer at Churches Health Association of Zambia Laboratory

Diagnostics have been a critical tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic and laboratories have been at the forefront. Cynthia will share her perspective and personal experience working in the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) laboratory. The challenges she has overcome as a woman breaking into a male dominated field, the evolution she has seen in diagnostics over the past 20 years and how testing enables reaching the first and third 95 towards WHO elimination targets. She will also provide us with insights into the future and reasons for optimism not only in the fight against HIV but in the fight against preventable and treatable diseases with the laboratory and laboratory professionals at the center.


2:45 - 3:15 pm
Achieving viral suppression is critical both for individual health and eliminating sexual transmission
Lara Vojnov, Chief Scientist, Global Health Impact Group

Last year, based on a systematic review published in the Lancet, the World Health Organization launched a policy brief entitled ‘The role of HIV viral suppression in improving individual health and reducing transmission’. The key messages have the power to improve individual health, reduce sexual transmission, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and increase access to viral load testing. However, more work in disseminating and implementing these messages is needed.

10:00 - 10:30 am
Behind the scenes: continuous improvement of HIV antibody & antigen diagnostics at Roche
Tobias Holm, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics
Alexander Riedel, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics

It's clear that the landscape of HIV diagnostics is evolving rapidly due to factors such as increased access to antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. These advancements have led to a need for improved test performance in terms of altered seroconversion and sensitivity requirements. Roche Diagnostics is committed to addressing these challenges by continuously enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of our serological HIV tests. The development of the new generation Elecsys HIV Duo Test is a testament to this dedication. If you need further information or details, feel free to ask!


11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Available tests and tools to ensure all people living with HIV have access to viral load testing and their result
Lara Vojnov, Chief Scientist, Global Health Impact Group

The last 95 of the UNAIDS's elimination goals is about ensuring 95% of people living with HIV achieve viral suppression; however, viral load testing remains elusive for many. The tests and tools exist now that can support national and regional programs to ensure all people living with HIV have access to viral load testing. This presentation will outline the various tests and tools available, potential new initiatives, and provide some ideas for how countries can maximize their resources to expand access to viral load testing.


2:45 - 3:15 pm
Tried & Tested: Lab Technician Cynthia Kasonde Shares Her Journey Fighting HIV/AIDS Through Diagnostics
Cynthia Kasonde, Senior Biomedical/ Quality Assurance Officer at Churches Health Association of Zambia Laboratory

Diagnostics have been a critical tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic and laboratories have been at the forefront. Cynthia will share her perspective and personal experience working in the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) laboratory. The challenges she has overcome as a woman breaking into a male dominated field, the evolution she has seen in diagnostics over the past 20 years and how testing enables reaching the first and third 95 towards WHO elimination targets. She will also provide us with insights into the future and reasons for optimism not only in the fight against HIV but in the fight against preventable and treatable diseases with the laboratory and laboratory professionals at the center.

10:00 - 10:30 am
Behind the scenes: continuous improvement of HIV antibody & antigen diagnostics at Roche
Tobias Holm, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics
Alexander Riedel, Research and Development, Roche Diagnostics

It's clear that the landscape of HIV diagnostics is evolving rapidly due to factors such as increased access to antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. These advancements have led to a need for improved test performance in terms of altered seroconversion and sensitivity requirements. Roche Diagnostics is committed to addressing these challenges by continuously enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of our serological HIV tests. The development of the new generation Elecsys HIV Duo Test is a testament to this dedication. If you need further information or details, feel free to ask!


11:45 am - 12:15 pm
From Promise to Prevention: Where Are We In Translating Recent HIV Prevention Results Into Impact

Overview of recent HIV prevention research results and discuss how they are being translated into public health programs. The talk will include an update of the biomedical HIV prevention pipeline as well as programmatic updates.


2:45 - 3:15 pm
Tried & Tested: Lab Technician Cynthia Kasonde Shares Her Journey Fighting HIV/AIDS Through Diagnostics
Cynthia Kasonde, Senior Biomedical/ Quality Assurance Officer at Churches Health Association of Zambia Laboratory

Diagnostics have been a critical tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic and laboratories have been at the forefront. Cynthia will share her perspective and personal experience working in the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) laboratory. The challenges she has overcome as a woman breaking into a male dominated field, the evolution she has seen in diagnostics over the past 20 years and how testing enables reaching the first and third 95 towards WHO elimination targets. She will also provide us with insights into the future and reasons for optimism not only in the fight against HIV but in the fight against preventable and treatable diseases with the laboratory and laboratory professionals at the center.