“To end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to outthink this virus”
Express Pharma|February 16-29, 2020
Mary Rodgers, virus hunter, Principal Scientist and Head,Abbott Global Surveillance Center explains to Viveka Roychowdhury the importance of tracking virus mutations in HIV and viral hepatitis across the world to update their diagnostic tests
Viveka Roychowdhury
“To end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to outthink this virus”

Abbott's 20-year-old Global Surveillance Programme is the basis of the company's diagnostics research program leading to commercial diagnostic test products. What is the significance of your team's recent discovery of a new strain of HIV called HIV-1 Group M, subtype L?

It has been 25 years since we established the Abbott Viral Surveillance Program to monitor HIV and hepatitis viruses globally to track mutations to help make sure our diagnostic tests remain up to date. The discovery of a new strain of HIV called HIV-1 Group M, subtype L by our team marks the first time a new subtype of HIV-1 has been identified in 19 years – since guidelines for classifying new strains of HIV were established.

This new strain is a part of the major group of HIV (Group M), which is responsible for 90 per cent of the pandemic and has been traced back to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The new strain discovery helps researchers and healthcare providers stay one step ahead of mutating viruses and avoiding new HIV outbreaks. Since we live in a global village, we can’t think of viruses being contained to one location. This discovery reminds us that to end the HIV pandemic, we must continue to outthink this virus and use the latest advancements in technology and resources to understand its full scope.

What are the other disease areas tracked by Abbott's Global Surveillance Programme?

This story is from the February 16-29, 2020 edition of Express Pharma.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 16-29, 2020 edition of Express Pharma.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EXPRESS PHARMAView All
Achieving Aatmanirbharta In APIs Are We On The Right Track?
Express Pharma

Achieving Aatmanirbharta In APIs Are We On The Right Track?

As India gears up to celebrate its 75th Independence Day, self reliance in APIs remains a key goal for the pharma sector. AatmaNirbharta will be crucial for the sector as it continues to protect the country from the existing and emerging health threats

time-read
9 mins  |
August 2021
Yokogawa launches OpreX Data Model Broker
Express Pharma

Yokogawa launches OpreX Data Model Broker

A plant data transformation platform, OpreX automatically verifies discrepancies and inconsistencies in data to improve efficiency in plant construction and operation

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
Understanding the nuances of generics injectables
Express Pharma

Understanding the nuances of generics injectables

At a webinar, explaining the West Pharma's AccelTRA Components Program, industry experts explained why the use of glass vials and stoppers as primary container closure systems (CCS) has become crucial

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2021
Trending in nutraceuticals: Science meets sustainability
Express Pharma

Trending in nutraceuticals: Science meets sustainability

Zeljko Pockaj, Vice President, Global Pharmaceutical Industry, mentions the key trends that are believed to drive innovations and formulations for nutraceuticals’ development around the globe

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
The growth of e-pharmacies in India
Express Pharma

The growth of e-pharmacies in India

Rahul Nath Choudhury, Research fellow, ICWA, explains what motivates people in the pharma industry to invest into e-pharmacies, along with various other growth factors associated with these

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021
Xylitol and Maltitol: Low-calorie sugar alternatives
Express Pharma

Xylitol and Maltitol: Low-calorie sugar alternatives

Polyols like Xylitol and Maltitol offer important health benefits. Unlike general sugar-free sweeteners, these do not have any bitter-after taste

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021
Single-use TC gaskets and their importance
Express Pharma

Single-use TC gaskets and their importance

Depending on the application, gaskets are manufactured by different types of Material of Construction (MOC) such as Silicone, EPDM, Viton (FKM), Nitrile, Neoprene, PTFE, etc.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
It's important to enhance customer experience so that existing customers are more loyal
Express Pharma

It's important to enhance customer experience so that existing customers are more loyal

Sheshgiri Kamath, CEO and co-founder, Kapture CRM, expands on why it is important for pharma companies to enhance customer experience, and how the right CRM solution can help companies to identify, address and manage customer expectations more effectively, in an interaction with Viveka Roychowdhury

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
From HIV to COVID-19: The role of liposomal nanotechnology as an NDDS of choice
Express Pharma

From HIV to COVID-19: The role of liposomal nanotechnology as an NDDS of choice

Arun Kedia, Managing Director,VAV Life Sciences, elaborates how NDDS have proved to be beneficial with applications across various medical therapies ranging from HIV to cancer to COVID-19 treatment

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021
Ensuring pharma compliance with testo data loggers
Express Pharma

Ensuring pharma compliance with testo data loggers

Testo data loggers can be used to test the optimum conditions for specific products or surroundings

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021