AIDS Research Alliance

AIDS Research Alliance of America (ARAA) was a national community-based 501(c)3 non-profit medical research institution that sought to develop a cure for HIV/AIDS, medical strategies to prevent new HIV infections and better treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS.[1] From 1989 to 2015, ARAA conducted over 150 clinical and pre-clinical studies,[2] ranging from alternative therapies[3][4][5] that employed a complementary approach to HIV care to the first in-human HIV vaccine trial.[6] AIDS Research Alliance was partly responsible for "fast-tracking" to market half of today's anti-HIV treatments.

AIDS Research Alliance of America
MottoFrom hope to cure.
Founded1989
Location
Area served
United States
Key people
Carolyn H. Carlburg, J.D., Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Brown, M.D., Medical Director
WebsiteAIDS Research Alliance: Home

History

In 1989, a group of Southern California physicians and philanthropists, led by Paul Joseph Rothman, M.D. and Matthew Rushton, Hollywood film producer of Mrs. Doubtfire, founded Search Alliance to speed the discovery and development of effective treatments against HIV and its complications.[7]

Working with physicians who were experimenting with potential treatments in their private practices, the organization pooled data and identified promising experimental regimens. The staff designed the studies, coordinated the data collection of Alliance physicians, and analyzed and published the results.[8]

In 1995, Search Alliance changed its name to AIDS Research Alliance of America and centralized all research activities in one licensed facility based in Los Angeles.[8] This allowed ARAA to identify and manage scientific, clinical and organizational strategies with a staff of dedicated research professionals, while maintaining affiliations with physicians, academics and scientists in research institutions around the world.[9][10][11][12]

In 2009, ARAA relocated from West Hollywood, where it had been located for 14 years, to a larger research facility in downtown Los Angeles.[13]

As a community-based organization, ARAA served as a bridge between communities at risk of HIV and government-funded research. It collaborated with government-sponsored researchers and pharmaceutical companies, but also advocated for and conducted research that was not driven by the demand for profitability.[14] ARAA was licensed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a drug to combat HIV - prostratin.[15] Carolyn H. Carlburg, J.D. was the last Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer,[16][17] and Stephen J. Brown, M.D. was the Medical Director.[18]

Research

AIDS Research Alliance of America focused its research and development program on several core areas, including the clinical trials of anti-HIV drugs that inhibited the virus in novel ways, and new medical strategies – like microbicides and vaccines – that prevented the spread of HIV.[19] ARAA conducted clinical trials aimed at treating the medical disorders that accompany HIV, including HIV-associated lipodystrophy,[20] diarrhea and neuropathy.[21] Developing strategies that eliminated HIV viral reservoirs became a major research initiative of ARAA.[22] This included its work on prostratin,[23] a potential reservoir ablative agent that ARAA had in-licensed from NIH.[15] In 2008, ARAA filed a new patent on prostratin and its analogues, thus broadening its research platform targeting the HIV reservoirs.[24]

Funding

AIDS Research Alliance of America funded its research by using a business model that included contract research as well as tax-deductible donations from private individuals, corporations and foundations. ARAA conducted clinical trials for major pharmaceutical sponsors including Pfizer, Merck, Theratechnologies, Schering-Plough, Tibotec, NeurogesX, National Institutes of Health, Serono, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Agouron, GlaxoSmithKline, Orasure Technologies, Gilead Sciences, and many others.[25][26][27][28]

Funders and partners to ARAA included The Ahmanson Foundation, Capital Group Companies, City of West Hollywood, Concord Music Group, David Michod, Douglas MacBride Kinney, Entertainment AIDS Alliance, The Joseph Drown Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, MacHeist,[29] The MacDonald Family Foundation, The Pepsi Refresh Project, The Silva Watson Moon Walk Fund, The University Wide AIDS Research Program [the University of California], the Division of AIDS [NIH], Until There is a Cure, and many others.[30]

ARAA participated each year in the Combined Federal Campaign,[31] as part of the Medical Research Charities Federation and received high ratings from the American Institute of Philanthropy[32] and Charity Navigator.[33] ARAA hosted a number of fundraising events – including ArtSeen featuring A Taste of Los Angeles[34] and was a beneficiary of events like Macy’s Passport In-Store, Spinning Nation and the Game Show Congress. ARAA was a member of the Global Giving Foundation online fundraising platform and had a partnership with We-care.com, an online charity mall. ARAA was also a beneficiary of the Ralph's Community Contribution Program in Los Angeles.

ARAA previously earned three and four-star ratings from Charity Navigator for exceeding or meeting industry standards and performing as well as or better than most charities in its space.[35]

References
  1. "CenterWatch Research Center Profile Pages". Centerwatch.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  2. "CenterWatch". Search.centerwatch.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  3. J Kaiser; J Ondercin; G Santos; G Leoung; S Brown; M Mass; M Baum (February 8–11, 2004). Broad-Spectrum Micronutrient Supplementation in HIV-infected Patients With Dideoxynucleoside-related Peripheral Neuropathy: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial (PDF). 11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. San Francisco. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2006.
  4. "Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research Report on the 11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, February 2004". Fiar.us. February 10, 2004. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  5. Bergner, Paul (2001). "Allium sativum: Antibiotic and Immune Properties". Medical Herbalism. North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. Archived from the original on August 17, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  6. Brown SJ; Harro C; Mayer KH; Bartholow BN; Buchbinder S; Mastro TD; Judson F; Gorse GJ; et al. (July 2003). VaxGen AIDSVAX B/B Vaccine Trial: Recruitment, Demographics, and Changes in Risk Behaviors - Lessons for Future Trials. National HIV Prevention Conference. Atlanta, Georgia, United States. T3-D0502. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  7. "AIDS Research Alliance website". Aidsresearch.org. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  8. "AIDS Research Alliance website, retrieved 05/01/09". Aidsresearch.org. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  9. Poles, Michael A.; Boscardin, W. John; Elliott, Julie; Taing, Philip; Fuerst, Marie M.P.; McGowan, Ian; Brown, Stephen; Anton, Peter A. (2006). "Lack of Decay of HIV-1 in Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Reservoirs in Maximally Suppressed Individuals". Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 43 (1): 65–8. doi:10.1097/01.qai.0000230524.71717.14. PMID 16936559. S2CID 8761240. Lay summary – ScienceDaily (August 26, 2006).
  10. "Anorectal Microbicide Project – Rectal Health Behaviors & Microbicide Acceptability. consent form; National Institutes of Health June 2006". Mdp.ctrl.ucla.edu. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  11. Biancotto, A.; Grivel, J.-C.; Gondois-Rey, F.; Bettendroffer, L.; Vigne, R.; Brown, S.; Margolis, L. B.; Hirsch, I. (2004). "Dual Role of Prostratin in Inhibition of Infection and Reactivation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from Latency in Primary Blood Lymphocytes and Lymphoid Tissue". Journal of Virology. 78 (19): 10507–15. doi:10.1128/JVI.78.19.10507-10515.2004. PMC 516376. PMID 15367617.
  12. Hendrix, CW; Collier, AC; Lederman, MM; Schols, D; Pollard, RB; Brown, S; Jackson, JB; Coombs, RW; Glesby, MJ; Flexner, CW; Bridger, GJ; Badel, K; MacFarland, RT; Henson, GW; Calandra, G; Amd3100 Hiv Study, Group (2004). "Safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of AMD3100, a selective CXCR4 receptor inhibitor, in HIV-1 infection". Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 37 (2): 1253–62. doi:10.1097/01.qai.0000137371.80695.ef. PMID 15385732.
  13. Research space: AIDS Research Alliance has leased office space at the California Professional Center building. Los Angeles Business Journal 12/01/08
  14. Trials By Fire. Williams, S; POZ No. 12, P. 56; (02/96-03/96)
  15. "Federal Register 2000: 65 FR 79873 Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Treatment of HIV". Loislaw.com. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  16. "Forbes.com retrieved 05/08/06". Forbes. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  17. "The Chronicle of Philanthropy v.17 06/01/2005". Philanthropy.com. May 12, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  18. "AIDS Researchers Say the Work is Personal. Fair F; NYU Journalism School – NYC Pavement Pieces 01/11/08". Journalism.nyu.edu. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  19. "AIDS Research Alliance website". Aidsresearch.org. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  20. Grunfeld, C; Leighty, M; Shen, SJ; Brouwers, G; Lee, D; Muurahainen, N; Kotler, DP; Study 24380 Investigators, Group (2007). "Recombinant human growth hormone to treat HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome: 12 week induction and 24-week maintenance therapy". Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. 45 (3): 286–97. doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e3180691145. PMID 17592343. INIST:18907012.
  21. Simpson, D. M.; Brown, S.; Tobias, J.; Ngx-4010 c107 Study, Group (2008). "Controlled trial of high-concentration capsaicin patch for treatment of painful HIV neuropathy". Neurology. 70 (24): 2305–13. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000314647.35825.9c. PMID 18541884. S2CID 45796136.
  22. Stix, Gary (May 13, 2008). "Luring HIV from Hiding". Scientific American. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  23. Hezareh, M (2005). "Prostratin as a new therapeutic agent targeting HIV viral reservoirs". Drug News & Perspectives. 18 (8): 496–500. doi:10.1358/dnp.2005.18.8.944543. PMID 16391719.
  24. Methods of Administering Prostratin and Structured Analogues Thereof. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (ISA/US), April 11, 2008
  25. "Hydroxychloroquine+ddI+Hydroxyurea antiretroviral trial, AIDS Research Alliance, Los Angeles". AIDS Treatment News (332): 8. 1999. PMID 11367131.
  26. "Business Wire 03/29/01". Aegis.com. March 29, 2001. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  27. PR Newswire September 17, 1995
  28. "Financial Times – Europe Intelligence Wire 08/29/06". Accessmylibrary.com. August 29, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  29. "MacHeist raises $500,000 for Charity. Wolsey, G;". Macteens. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  30. "AIDS Research Alliance 2007 Annual Report". Aidsresearch.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  31. "Federal Globe website". Fedglobe.org. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  32. Daniel Borochoff (August 24, 2002). "American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Listing". Charitywatch.org. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  33. "Charity Navigator". Charity Navigator. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  34. "YouTube ArtSeen Footage". Youtube. June 4, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  35. "Charity Navigator". Charity Navigator. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  • AIDS Research Alliance is closed; their website is not active; someone else unrelated has taken it over.
  • Current Clinical Trials
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