MHRP has been conducting HIV research in Uganda since 1998, and in 2002 the Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) was established with HJF to support HIV vaccine development research and to help build vaccine testing capability in Uganda.
MHRP's collaborative HIV research with MUWRP has focused on developing infrastructure, cohorts and clinical evaluation of vaccines and therapeutics. In 2005, MUWRP activities expanded to include HIV prevention, care and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) through funding from PEPFAR, and MUWRP has since broadened its scope of work to address other communicable disease threats.
MUWRP's scientists and partners are part of a robust research program focused on cohort development, surveillance, and vaccine studies. Its staff members have presented posters and abstracts at international and national conferences on MUWRP’s various research activities around HIV and Ebola.
The Program is committed to promoting sustainable research by supporting young and early career scientists, which Uganda desperately needs. MHRP has helped mentor many of these young scientists.
The program supports a variety of Phase 1-3 clinical trials as well as non-clinical research such as prospective cohort studies and program evaluations. The site boasts more than 15 years of experience conducting IND clinical trials and a staff with extensive research backgrounds and proven skill with collecting high quality data. It collaborates with many other local and international organizations, as well as other US DoD research groups.
HIV Research Highlights
MUWRP has successfully completed many HIV cohort and vaccine studies, which have advanced understanding of HIV subtypes and disease progression in the region. By building infrastructure and increasing the capabilities of local public and private partners, MUWRP also helps ensure quality services for communities participating in vaccine research and HIV cohort studies. Recent studies include:
- A004: Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and Immunogenicity of a homologous Ad26 Mosaic Vector regimens, or Ad26 Mosaic and MVA Mosaic heterologous vector regimens for HIV prevention
- RV398: study testing the safety and virologic effect of a human monoclonal antibody, VRC01, administered intravenously to adults during acute HIV infection
- RV217: Early Capture HIV Cohort Study
- PEPFAR-funded African Cohort Study (AFRICOS), a 15-year cohort longitudinal study that evaluates the impact of clinical, biological and socio-behavioral issues on HIV infection and disease progression.
Ebola Research
In 2009, MUWRP and MHRP launched the first Ebola vaccine clinical trial conducted in Africa. Since then the site has been involved with the trials of four more Ebola vaccine candidates at various stages of development. Today, with support from other U.S. DoD partners, MURWP supports early detection and response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases including Influenza surveillance, anti-microbial resistance surveillance and acute febrile illness.