COSTECH

Targeted Request for Proposals (RFP)

Gene therapy for the treatment and potential eradication of HIV infection

Complete RFP, including forms and instructions, available online at
www.amfar.org/rfp

DEADLINE

Pre-submission notice must be submitted no later than September 25, 2009

BACKGROUND AND AREAS OF INTEREST
This RFP solicits proposals relevant to the role of gene therapy in the
eradication of HIV infection.  While gene therapy holds much promise for HIV
as well as other diseases, there have been setbacks for the field at large
that have hindered progress. Recently, there has been renewed interest in
gene therapy following a report in February 2009 in NEJM of a patient in
Berlin with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic stem cell
transplantation with complete replacement of recipient stem cells with CD34+
peripheral stem cells from an HLA-matched unrelated donor who was also
homozygous for the CCR5 delta32 mutation. To date, despite being off all
antiretroviral therapy for over two years, and off all immune suppressive
medications, no HIV has been detected in this patient. amfAR wishes to
support basic research exploring the potential for gene therapy in HIV
infection, and studies of clinical cases aimed at understanding of the role
of transplantation conditioning versus graft cell type.

Specific areas of interest include:

Targets for gene therapy: CCR5 is one target--are there others? Do
HIV genes or cellular genes or some combination represent the best targets?
Are there genes whose function could be enhanced to treat HIV infection?

Which are the best vectors for gene therapy in the context of HIV
infection? How can efficiency be improved?

Can the *life of gene therapy interventions* be extended?

In the Berlin patient’s case, was the conditioning regimen or the gene
therapy key to the apparent eradication of HIV? Can use be made of the
existing literature, as well as unpublished data from central and local
transplant centers and registries, that can be searched to identify HIV+
individuals who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplants
and have stored pathologic material to assess whether
HIV eradication has occurred?

AVAILABLE FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE PERIOD
Funding will be available for:

Research Grants – $100,000 direct costs plus up to 20% for indirect costs.
The performance period for grants awarded under this RFP will be for one
year starting March 1, 2010.

Fellowships –Each fellowship is funded for a total of up to $125,000: A
maximum of $110,000 is allowed for project-specific direct costs ($45,000
per year for salary and fringe benefits and $20,000 over two years for
laboratory supplies). It is expected that fellows will devote a minimum of
85% time and effort to the approved fellowship project. An additional $3,636
is provided to support attendance at amfAR-designated consultations for a
direct cost maximum of $113,636. Institutional indirect costs may not exceed
10% of direct costs. The performance period for fellowships awarded under
this RFP will be for two years starting March 1, 2010.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are required to submit a preliminary information form
no later than September 25, 2009.  LOI instructions and forms (due October
12, 2009) will be e-mailed to applicants who have submitted a preliminary
information form.

For additional details and preliminary information forms, visit
www.amfar.org/rfp.

Please forward this e-mail to colleagues who might also be interested in the
program or in responding to future amfAR RFPs.

amfAR grants are made to nonprofit organizations worldwide.  Applicant
investigators, fellows, and sponsors need not be U.S. citizens, and there
are no restrictions as to age, color, creed, gender, medical condition,
handicap, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race,
religion, marital status, or sexual orientation.

If you have difficulty accessing the RFP or downloading the instructions and
forms, please contact
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