Philadelphia FIGHT's PrEP Team Receives the Prestigious Linden Award

FIGHT's PrEP team received the prestigious Linden Award at the 19th Annual Centers for AIDS Research national meeting for their outstanding research study on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Dr. Helen Koenig, the medical director of our PrEP Program, and the PrEP research team demonstrated that a urine test can be used to monitor adherence to Truvada� taken as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for prevention of HIV. This urine test has the potential to help people taking PrEP for HIV prevention and prescribing clinicians maximize the effectiveness of PrEP; a highly effective tool in ending the HIV epidemic. This work was done to address a major research gap as, currently, there is no way to reliably measure adherence to PrEP and help patients taking this medication overcome barriers to adherence.

Dr. Koenig and her team presented these results at the National Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Symposium in Seattle, Washington where they also received award. This award, supported by funds donated to the NIH CFAR Program to advance research in HIV/AIDS, was awarded to the three investigators whose work demonstrated great significance, analytical and scientific rigor, novel/innovative methodologies, understandability to a wide scientific audience, and overall contribution to knowledge.

Philadelphia FIGHT is a comprehensive health services organization providing state-of-the art, culturally competent primary care to low income members of the community, HIV specialty care, consumer education, advocacy, social services, and outreach to people living with HIV and those who are at high risk, including family members, communities with high rates of HIV, formerly incarcerated persons, and young people at risk, along with access to the most advanced clinical research in HIV treatment and prevention. Each year FIGHT reaches over 8,000 individuals with medical care, research, social services and education programs. FIGHT's goal is to end the AIDS epidemic within the lifetime of those currently living with HIV.