Since 1990, the CTN has supported impactful research that has reduced new infections and improved the lives of people with lived and living experiences of HIV, STBBIs, and associated conditions. This network has made pivotal contributions to management of opportunistic infections and multi-drug resistant HIV; demonstrated the power of triple antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV; and improved prevention and treatment of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus — advancing research while providing access to the latest care. From the outset, a dynamic Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has been paramount to our success, guided our research processes, and served as a model of community engagement beyond HIV.
Maintaining this momentum and 30-year history of success, the CTN is now responding to an updated funding call to meet the current STBBI-related challenges faced by people across Canada. And there are many challenges ahead: there was a 24% increase in new HIV diagnoses in 2022 compared to 2021 — the largest in 10 years. Canada is also experiencing an explosion in bacterial STBBIs: between 2017 and 2022, there was a 166% increase in cases of syphilis. Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea have risen dramatically and there are increasing concerns of resistance to antibiotics. Global deaths from viral hepatitis are projected to surpass those from HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis by 2040. HIV also remains a chronic inflammatory condition and stigma, financial burden and side effects continue to hamper quality of life. COVID-19 and Mpox loom large in our recent memories.
The CTN is ready to address these current challenges and to bolster Canada’s infectious disease research capacity to respond to emerging threats. But with renewal comes change. And that includes the naming of Dr. Marina Klein as the principal applicant for the CTN’s renewal application. Dr. Klein, who currently serves as National Co-Director alongside Dr. Sharon Walmsley, began her research career with the CTN as a postdoctoral fellow. Since then, she has built an impressive program of research as an international leader in HIV/HCV co-infection and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair. It is with great confidence that I pass the leadership of the CTN to Dr. Klein and I look forward to my role as Co-Director.
The CTN has been central to my life for many years. Over the past 10 years during my term as National Director, and my previous 6 years as Co-Director, we have witnessed astonishing improvements in the HIV epidemic, thanks in no small part to the incredible hard work of our scientists, staff, and community members and the ground-breaking research they support. I am proud to have shared in this journey with all of you, and look forward to watching the CTN thrive for years to come.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aslam Anis
