ENABLE PROJECT LAUNCHES TO EVALUATE ENHANCEMENT OF TREATMENT OF HIV IN INFANTS BY ADDING MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
In Sub-Saharan Africa, only about half of infants born with HIV have access to early treatment, and more than 10% die within the first year after diagnosis, even when treatment is initiated on time. Viral suppression remains limited, with only 25% to 50% of infants reaching undetectable levels in routine care.
In Mozambique, HIV continues to be a major public health concern, disproportionately affecting women and children. Despite progress in preventing vertical transmission and expanding access to treatment, challenges persist in early diagnosis and retention in care, especially among infants exposed to the virus.
In this context, the Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM) is part of an international consortium bringing together 21 leading research institutions from Africa, Europe, and the United States. The consortium is coordinated by the Servicio Madrileño de Salud (SERMAS), based in Madrid, and represented by the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre.
Funded by Global Health EDCTP3, a European Union programme (GA 101190620), the project aims to evaluate new strategies to improve HIV treatment in infants. In particular, it seeks to investigate whether adding broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to antiretroviral therapy can accelerate viral control in infants diagnosed with HIV, addressing persistent challenges, especially in high-burden settings.
The study will be conducted through a clinical trial in South Africa, Mozambique, and Cameroon, and will assess whether the administration of two broadly neutralizing antibodies, in combination with standard treatment, can improve viral suppression in infants. In addition, biological markers associated with remission will be analysed, including immune responses, viral reservoirs, and levels of specific molecules, with the aim of identifying factors linked to improved protection.
The project will also investigate how long the antibodies remain in the body and the levels required to ensure their therapeutic effectiveness. In parallel, community engagement activities will be carried out with caregivers and healthcare professionals to assess the acceptability of this innovative approach and identify factors that may influence its future implementation.
In Mozambique, in addition to CISM, the project involves the participation of Eduardo Mondlane University and the Ariel Foundation. The launch meeting of the ENABLE consortium took place on 3–4 February 2026 in Cape Town, marking the beginning of an international collaborative effort to develop innovative solutions for the treatment of paediatric HIV.
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