Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Clinical Trials Unit

Experience

The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Clinical Trials Unit (DTHF CTU) has 15 years of experience conducting Phase II, III and IV HIV-related drug and vaccine trials.
Located in the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine on the University of Cape Town Medical School campus, the unit is headed by Professor Robin Wood, a specialist physician with infectious disease training. Together with Professor Wood, research at the unit is led by three other experienced Principal Investigators, namely Professor Linda-Gail Bekker and Drs Catherine Orrell and Richard Kaplan. Drs Francois Cilliers, Keren Middelkoop, Piotr Chodacki and Anna Cross work as sub-investigators at the site. Christie Heiberg is the dedicated unit manager which is further staffed with study coordinators, study nurses, pharmacists, lab technologists, counselors and a regulatory and quality officer. The unit is fully equipped and maintained to ensure that all trial procedures are conducted to the highest standard. It consists of a patient reception area, a blood-taking room, four consulting rooms, two procedures room, counseling rooms and a pharmacy. The trials unit also has access to a well-equipped laboratory, PK, Dexa and CT Scan facilities. Since 1997, the unit has conducted over 60 HIV-related clinical trials including pharmacokinetic studies. This enabled many people living with HIV to access antiretroviral drugs prior to the implementation of treatment in South Africa. Many of these patients still receive treatment at the unit through a compassionate care programme. We are currently treating over 500 patients at our site. The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation is committed to excellence in research, combined with ongoing support for effective community development programmes.

Disease areas

• HIV
• Influenza
• Other

Opportunisitic infections associated with HIV