Innovations and Challenges in HIV Prevention and Cure

Joint ISAC–ISID Webinar in Commemoration of the World AIDS Day
“Innovations and Challenges in HIV Prevention and Cure”

The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC) and the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) hosted a special joint World AIDS Day webinar that focused on cutting‑edge developments in HIV infection, from scientific breakthroughs to global implementation challenges.
The session brought together world leaders in HIV research and global health to discuss major advances in cure strategies, next‑generation prevention tools, and the future of HIV control.

Speakers / topics

1. Prof. Sharon Lewin
Director, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Topic: Advances in HIV Cure Research: Novel Approaches to Targeting Viral Reservoirs

2. Professor David Lewis
Director: Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre; Conjoint Professor, University of Sydney; University of Cape Town
Topic: Next-Generation Prevention: Long-Acting PrEP, Vaginal Rings, and Injectable ART

Moderators

On behalf of ISAC: Prof. David Lye / On behalf of ISID: Prof. Eskild Petersen

Agenda

1. Welcome & Opening Remarks – Moderators
2. Talk 1: Advances in HIV Cure Research – Prof. Sharon Lewin
3. Talk 2: Next-Generation Prevention Tools – Prof. David Lewis 
4. Panel Discussion & Q&A – Speakers + Moderators 
5. Closing Remarks

 

Speaker bios

Prof. Sharon Lewin

"Advances in HIV Cure Research"

Professor Sharon Lewin is an internationally recognized infectious diseases physician and scientist, renowned for her research on HIV and strategies for achieving a cure. She is the inaugural Director of the Doherty Institute and the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics, supported by major philanthropic and government funding. A Melbourne Laureate Professor at The University of Melbourne, she served as President of the International AIDS Society (2022–2024). She leads a team focused on HIV cure, hepatitis B, and SARS-CoV-2 research, with extensive national and international collaborations. Lewin has authored over 360 publications and received numerous honours, including Officer of the Order of Australia.

Prof. David Lewis

"Next-Generation Prevention Tools"

Professor David Lewis is Director of Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre and conjoint Professor at the University of Sydney. A leading expert in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, his research focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in STI pathogens, particularly multidrug-resistant gonorrhoea. He graduated from London Hospital Medical College in 1987, completed specialist training in microbiology and HIV medicine, and earned a PhD on Haemophilus ducreyi pathogenesis. Lewis has held senior roles in the UK, South Africa, and Australia, authored over 150 publications, and advises WHO on STI control. He is a former IUSTI president and recipient of multiple international awards.

Prof. David Lye

David is Director of Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, a Conjoint Professor at the University of Sydney, Adjunct Professor at Curtin University and an Honorary Professor the University of Cape Town. David’s research interests include biomedical prevention strategies for HIV/STIs, antimicrobial resistance and genital ulcer disease. He is a Council member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases and a Past President of IUSTI-World. David has contributed to many WHO initiatives such as guideline development, point-of-care testing and, until late 2024, served as a member of WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for HIV, Hepatitis and STIs.

 

Prof. Eskild Petersen

Eskild Petersen a specialist of infectious diseases and tropical medicine, Professor Emeritus, Aarhus University, and adjunct professor at the PandemiX Center of Excellence, Roskilde University, Denmark.
Eskild Petersen worked at the Danish national public health institute, Statens Serum Institut, from 1989 to 2003 when he returned to clinical infectious diseases at Aarhus University Hospital - Skejby. 2015 – 2018 Infectious Disease consultant at The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman and 2018 – 2020 Senior Consultant, Directorate for Diseases Surveillance & Control, Ministry of Health, Oman.
He was Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2012 – 2022 and now Editor-in-Chief of IJID Regions. Eskild Petersen has authored several textbooks, including “Infectious Disease: a Geographic Guide” the 3rd edition published 2024 by Routlege.