In episode 50 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Yvonne Maldonado joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and the vaccine approval process in the United States. Dr Maldonado is a Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. She has served on several national and international committees including, until recently, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag provide an overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development and provide an update on the availability of RSV vaccine in adults but not in children. They also discuss the risk of severe disease in children and the limited treatments available. Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag also discuss the process for vaccine approvals in the United States. Specifically, they review the role of the ACIP committee in vaccine approvals and provide an update on the recent dismissal of all of the prior members of the committee, which included Dr Maldonado. They discuss the potential impact that this will have on the review of all vaccines and the overall impact on public health.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development

5:08 – Status of RSV vaccine availability in adults and children

8:15 – Discussion of the length of RSV vaccine protection and the differences in RSV respiratory disease between children and adults

10:17 – Risk of severe disease from RSV in children

12:22 – Overview of the vaccine approval process in the United States and how the CDC ACIP committee operates

19:27 – Discussion of the recent dismissal of all members of the ACIP including Dr Maldonado and her concern for the process of vaccine approval moving forward

23:54 – The vetting process for new members of the ACIP and assessment of newly appointed members

27:20 – How the recent personnel changes at the ACIP and other federal agencies impact public health

32:08 – Discussion of the public commitment and support for vaccination moving forward

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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In episode 49 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Judith Currier joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Next-Gen HIV Prevention and Treatment. Dr Currier is a Professor of Medicine at UCLA and has more than 25 years of experience in the design, implementation, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials to optimize antiretroviral management of HIV and related complications. Dr Currier and Dr Saag provide an overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed and discuss the successful return on investment in biomedical research. They also provide a detailed review of long-acting antiretroviral drugs and discuss the state of current research for new options, including a discussion of lenacapavir. Finally, they share their concerns for what is at stake if attempts to cut the federal research budget are successful and the disruption it will bring to the progress that has been made in HIV care and other viral diseases.

0:00 – Introduction

1:20 – Overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed

2:57 – The return on investment in biomedical research

3:52 – Overview of the need for long-acting antiretroviral drugs and options available

8:23 – Review of the current research and prospects for new long-acting therapies

12:59– Discussion of lenacapavir and the potential benefits for prevention and treatment

14:21 – Summary of other drugs on the horizon that may be potential treatments

18:39 – Overview of the different methods for delivery of drugs

21:11 – Impact of potential budget cuts on HIV research, on people with HIV, and on other viral diseases

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Mary Fisher joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Communicating the Importance of Science and Research to the Public. Ms Fisher is an artist, author, and activist, who has spent a lifetime giving voice to the voiceless. Her historic speech at the 1992 Republican Convention, A Whisper of AIDS, has been named one of “forty famous speeches that have had long-term effect on society.” In this episode, Ms Fisher discusses her history of activism including her work in Africa before and after the arrival of PEPFAR and the concern for the many communities she worked with given the termination of USAID. Ms Fisher also discusses her new book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change where she and Dr Saag stress the importance of speaking out for scientific research given the impact it has on patient care and saving lives.

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – History of Ms Fisher’s activism

4:11 – Impact of Ms Fisher’s work in Africa and discussion of the quality of life before and after PEPFAR

10:05 – The impact of the elimination of USAID on people with HIV, nutrition, and other diseases

14:36 – Discussion of Ms Fisher’s book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change

20:12 – Why scientific research is important and the impact of cuts to the research budget at NIAID

28:55 – The need to speak out for science, the practice of medicine, and care for those in need of care

Related Resources:

• Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change Amazon
• A Whisper of AIDS YouTube
• Project Angel Food
• Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe
• Voices in HIV Research and Global Health, from the Scientists, the Labs, and the Community YouTube

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Rebecca Denison joins host Dr Michael Saag as a follow-up discussion to her Martin Delaney presentation at CROI 2025: 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. Ms Denison is an HIV-positive writer, educator, mother, and founder of WORLD, Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases. Dr Saag and Ms Denison reflect on her history of living with HIV and her 40 + years as an HIV activist. They discuss the impact that recent cuts at USAID and PEPFAR are having international efforts to reduce HIV transmission and the loss in trust in healthcare practitioners since programs have been terminated. They also discuss concerns about cuts to federal funding for HIV care programs in the US and the impact of recent loss of staff expertise at federal agencies. Finally, Dr Saag and Ms Denison ask all care clinicians to share their stories to their communities as a way of becoming advocates for the importance of HIV care.

0:00 – Introduction

2:41 – History of Ms Denison’s activism in HIV and AIDS

4:58 – Discussion of the gap in HIV care since the termination of USAID and PEPFAR contracts

8:29 – The loss of trust in global HIV health care practitioners and stories of growing HIV transmission since funding for care has been terminated

14:24 – Risks of funding cuts to domestic HIV care programs and Medicaid

18:02 – How a younger generation of advocates can learn from the history of HIV activism

19:51 – The message sent by the reorganization of HHS and the dismissal of leading HIV experts

22:06 – How clinicians can be an advocates for HIV care

Watch/Listen to related episodes:

Special Episode YouTube | Apple Podcasts 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. The Martin Delaney presentation at CROI by Rebecca Denison

Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts Innovations in HIV Service Delivery with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Dr Raymond Schinazi joins host Dr Michael Saag for an in-depth conversation about the development of a cure for hepatitis C. Dr Schinazi, the Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University, shares insights from his distinguished career in antiviral research and development. He begins by outlining his background and long-standing interest in antiviral therapies, including groundbreaking work in HIV treatment. The conversation then shifts to his pivotal role in the development of sofosbuvir, a breakthrough direct-acting antiviral drug in the cure for hepatitis C, and the importance of NS5A inhibitors in antiviral drug regimens. Dr Schinazi also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the business and regulatory journey of bringing a transformative therapy to market, reflecting on the personal impact of this milestone. The episode concludes with a discussion of his current research into potential treatments for hepatitis B.

0:00 – Introduction

1:24 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s background and his interest in antiviral therapy

2:56 – Discussion of Dr Schinazi’s work in the development of antiviral agents for HIV

4:45 – Background on the development of sofosbuvir for the cure of hepatitis C

10:01 – The role of NS5A inhibitors in treatment

12:42 – History of bringing hepatitis C treatment to market

14:25 – Discussion of the effectiveness of NS5A inhibitors

16:49 – The risk of reinfection and review of the basic science behind pharmaceuticals for hepatitis C

18:22 – How the discovery of a hepatitis C cure impacted Dr Schinazi personally

25:16 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s current research in Hepatitis B

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Graham Hatfull, a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr Hatfull joins Dr Saag to discuss Bacteriophages for the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. Dr Hatfull provides an overview of the types of bacteriophages and how they can be used to treat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Dr Hatfull and Dr Saag discuss the challenges of treating bacterial infections with phages given the diversity and complexity of the different types of bacteria and bringing phage treatments to scale. Finally, they discuss what research is needed to overcome the challenges of phage treatment and look to the future where technology enables synthetically produced phages to provide targeted therapy to antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

0:00 – Introduction

1:05 – Overview of bacteriophages and Dr Hatfull's interest in phage research

2:46 – How phages can be used clinically for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria

4:34 – Differences between the 2 types of phages: lytic phages and temperate phages

6:01 – How phages are used to target specific types of bacteria

9:37 – The challenge of phage treatment matching and natural CRISPR processes within bacteria

15:16 – Understanding the phage genome diversity

18:59 – Discussion of therapeutic uses of phages

28:32 – Prospect of phages for future treatments including synthetic phages

Resources:

Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages with Dr Robert Schooley:

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/_BUpDRNhMsQ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-10-harnessing-the-power-of-bacteriophages/id1713226144?i=1000647215580

Exploring Bacteriophage Therapy for Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections Robert T. Schooley, MD: https://www.iasusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/31-1-23.pdf

The inaugural Conference on Bacteriophages: Biology, Dynamics, and Therapeutics: https://www.iasusa.org/bacteriophage-conference/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Annemarie M. Wensing, a Clinical Virologist at the University Medical Center Utrecht and an Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Dr Wensing joins Dr Saag to discuss the recently released IAS–USA 2025 Update of the Drug Resistance Mutations in HIV-1. Dr Wensing discusses the influence of Dr Charles Boucher in developing her interest in the topic of HIV drug resistance and Dr Wensing and Dr Saag provide an overview of HIV drug resistance and testing. Dr Wensing also provides advice to clinicians on how to manage patients who experience drug resistance. Dr Wensing and Dr Saag then discuss an upcoming report soon to be published that addresses the potential role and the important limitations of HIV DNA resistance testing. Finally, they address the topic of drug resistance in the absence of resistance mutations and look ahead to what the future holds for the field of HIV resistance.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Dr Wensing reviews the influence that Dr Charles Boucher played in her development as an investigator and her interest in HIV resistance

2:46 – Discussion of why there is HIV drug resistance

4:48 – Overview of drug resistance testing, genotypes and phenotypes

7:25 – New recommendations from the IAS-USA resistance mutation panel

9:50 – Advice to clinicians on managing drug resistance

16:16 – Discussion of HIV DNA resistance testing

21:26 – Understanding drug failure in the absence of resistance mutations

24:49 – Predictions about the future

Resources:

• IAS–USA Drug Resistance Mutations Chart: https://www.iasusa.org/hiv-drug-resistance/hiv-drug-resistance-mutations/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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...

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe, the Chief Executive Officer for the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ). Dr Sikazwe joins Dr Saag to provide an overview of her symposium presentation at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Innovations in HIV Service Delivery: Building a Path Forward with Those Left Behind. Dr Sikazwe discusses her career journey in treatment of HIV in Zambia and her path to CIDRZ. Dr Sikazwe and Dr Saag discuss the history of HIV and AIDS in Zambia and address the impact that PEPFAR had on the disease when it arrived in the country in 2004. They discuss how PEPFAR has operated in Zambia and provide a current overview of the sudden cancellation of USAID contracts on those receiving HIV care and treatment and other health services. Finally, they look ahead given the current disruptions on how Zambia and other countries can move forward to meet the needs of those in need of care.

0:00 – Introduction

1:41 – Dr Sikazwe reviews her path to CIDRZ

5:21 – History of HIV and AIDS in Zambia and discussion of stigma

7:53 – The impact of PEPFAR’s arrival in Zambia and Dr Sikazwe’s personal history with treatment during that time

13:37 – How PEPFAR works in Zambia

16:56 – Impact of recent decision by the US government to cancel USAID contracts

22:31 – Disruption to other health services that USAID has supported in Zambia

23:50 – Response from the government in Zambia

24:46 – Status of HIV in Zambia prior to cancellation of USAID contracts

25:50 – The best-case scenario for people living with HIV globally and closing remarks

Resources:

• CROI 2025: https://www.croiconference.org/
• Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ): https://www.cidrz.org/
• PEPFAR: https://www.state.gov/pepfar/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
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Facebook
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...