CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV and STBBI Clinical Trials Research

06/11/2026

This April, scientists from across the country gathered in Winnipeg for Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research ( ). This included dozens of of CTN+ researchers and staff, who shared updates from their ongoing work, learned from and collaborated with others, and set goals that will shape future research and public health policy. (Canadian Association For HIV Research)

Even if you were able to attend in person, in the flurry of talks, posters, and other presentations, it’s easy to have missed a few things. From breaking research to the Breakfast Symposium, here's a round up of what we got up to. 🤠

Give it a read: https://tinyurl.com/jdffup76

06/11/2026

Dr. Njeze's program of research on HIV and sexually transmitted and blood‑borne infections rigorously exposes racism as a structural determinant of health and how intersectional, community‑accountable approaches can reshape health systems, policy, and care. We're extremely excited to welcome her to the CTN+ Network!

The Village Lab is thrilled to welcome back Dr. Chinyere Njeze as a Postdoctoral Fellow in July 2026! Dr. Njeze’s work is supported by CTN+ (CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV and STBBI Clinical Trials Research). We are deeply grateful for CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV and STBBI Clinical Trials Research support and investment in emerging HIV and STBBI research leadership.

06/08/2026

“A lot of the HIV stigma research focuses on sexual behaviours, on beliefs and fears about HIV transmission and partnering with HIV-negative individuals,” said Dr. Paolo Palma, a 2025 CTN+ postdoctoral fellow. “But HIV stigma isn't just about those fears surrounding transmission.”

His current research project is digging into the many multi-faceted ways that stigma impacts people living with HIV, and how public health initiatives such as U=U are changing attitudes. We sat down with Dr. Palma to learn more about his project, and how his background in social psychology influenced his approach.

Come give it a read: https://bit.ly/4axin9w

06/08/2026

Claudette is a member of the CTN+ as a co-lead of the BC & Yukon Regional Team and as part of the Indigenous Guidance Council, so we know first hand all the amazing work she does. Congratulations to Claudette, and all other recipients of the Community-Based Research Excellence Awards! 👏

Congratulations to Claudette Cardinal whose work with the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research received an Honorary Mention recognition as an Emerging Community-Based Researcher at the 2026 Community-Based Research Canada (CBRCanada) Awards!

We would do Claudette a disservice by trying to synthesize CBRCanada’s great description of all that she does, so we include it unedited below:

“Claudette Cardinal is an Indigenous Community Fellow with the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research whose community-based research demonstrates excellence through Indigenous-led, relational, and ethically grounded practice. Her work centres Indigenous people living with HIV and prioritizes community leadership, cultural safety, and relational accountability across all stages of research. In multiple community-driven projects, she ensures community members co-define priorities, shape methods, interpret findings, and guide knowledge sharing, aligning research with community-identified needs. Grounded in Indigenized ethnography, her work integrates Elder-led teachings, autoethnography, community dialogue, and arts-based methods to reflect holistic understandings of health and lived experience. A key contribution is the Community at the HeART Framework, which supports ethical, community-led research while resisting extractive approaches. Through arts-based projects such as The Stat’s Talk Back and The ART of the Matter… Double Vision, she mobilizes knowledge using storytelling and visual art to share experiences with HIV treatment in accessible, trauma-informed ways, translating research into action that reduces stigma and strengthens community care and advocacy.”

Join us in congratulating Claudette for this well-deserved honour, and learn more about all the incredible recipients of the 2026 Awards at https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/posts/meet-the-recipients-of-the-2026-community-based-research-excellence-awards

06/05/2026

📰 Results from two Phase III clinical trial involving patients with chronic virus infection found that bepirovirsen achieved a functional cure in a significant number of patients after nucleotide analogue therapy was discontinued. The research was conducted by an international team of scientists, including Dr. Carla Coffin, co-lead of the CTN+ Cure & Immunotherapies Think Tank.

Read the full results in the New England Journal of Medicine: https://bit.ly/4xbixgB

06/03/2026

How can Ontario implement hepatitis C RNA ?

This CATIE webinar will offer an overview of hepatitis C RNA point‑of‑care testing in Ontario, exploring implementation experiences, barriers and strategies to accessing testing and key policy considerations. Speakers will include CTN+ researchers, Drs. Mia Biondi and Guillaume Fontaine, among others.

📆 Date: June 16, 2026
🕜Time: 10am PST

Register here: https://bit.ly/4o4Ij25

05/14/2026

Last week experts from across Canada came together in Winnipeg for the event "HIV Prevention Can't Wait: HIV Prevention and Treatment for Women and Priority Populations". Scientists from across Canada, including Dr. Yoav Keynan, co-lead of the CTN+ Prairies Regional Team, met to discuss timely, evidence-based program addressing Canada’s HIV gap.

📼 You can watch the video recording of the event here:

"HIV Prevention Can’t Wait: HIV Prevention and Treatment for Women and Priority Populations"Join leading experts for a timely, evidence-based program address...

05/01/2026

Do you have lived or living experience with HIV and STBBIs? Do you want to learn more about the clinical trial process in Canada? Do you want to help support your community?

If your answer is 'yes!', then we're excited to share with you the Community Science Champions Program!

This is a free online course is designed to foster a deep understanding of clinical trials and different roles for teams so learners can take active roles in research projects. With a mixture of reading, videos, inter-active assignments, and virtual discussion groups, this self-paced course is designed to appeal to learners of all kinds.

Register for free here: https://my.dualcode.com/ctn/

04/30/2026

"This effectively felt like a death sentence at the time. But against all odds, he survived; he pulled through. He was treated aggressively for both his cancer and his HIV, and he lived. His doctor, Sharon Walmsley, refers to that moment as 'Miracle #1.'"

Recently, a Toronto patient has become the 11th patient in the world to be effectively cured of HIV. On this episode of the Globe & Mail podcast 'The Decibel', healthcare reporter Jennifer Yang explores the science behind this milestone and explains why there’s still a long road ahead for breakthroughs.

🎧Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Qy0D77

04/28/2026

Did you know that there's new guidance on Doxy-PEP +HIV PrEP & PEP in Canada? 💭

If you're a healthcare provider, integrate these updates into your practice as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections ().

To find out more about these clinical guidelines, or to download this bilingual brochure to share yourselves, follow the link below:
https://training-formation.phac-aspc.gc.ca/course/view.php?id=1197