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Founders
Back in 1986, having HIV meant progressing
to AIDS and the developing opportunistic infections that were
manageable for only a short time, if at all. The death toll
climbed and there were no treatments. People with AIDS looked
to research for hope, but there was little to offer.
Drs. Douglas
Richman, J.
Allen McCutchan, and Stephen
Spector founded the AVRC, which was known as The UCSD
Treatment Center from 1986 to 2001. These physicians were
the first AIDS researchers at the University of California,
San Diego. In addition to treating HIV-infected adults, Dr.
Spector took an interest in perinatal
and pediatric HIV infection and established the UCSD
Mother, Child & Adolescent HIV Program, which shares
office space and administrative functions with the AVRC.
Research timeline
1984: Dr. McCutchan begins first longitudinal
study of complications
of AIDS. This study and many others were later merged into
the HIV
Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), which occupies
the second floor of the AVRC's current facility.
1985: Dr. Richman co-chairs first AZT
studies, conducted in collaboration with Burroughs Wellcome.
The UCSD Treatment Center was one of 12 sites involved in
this study, which included 32 HIV-infected San Diegans.
1986 to Present: AVRC begins other studies,
including many from the AIDS
Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health. Pharmaceutical companies also rely
on the AVRC for industry-sponsored clinical trials. Additional
studies conducted by the California Collaborative Treatment
Group, sponsored by the Universitywide
AIDS Research Program.
1986: Dr. Spector joins Dr. Richman as co-principal
investigator for ACTG studies and Dr. McCutchan founds
and directs the CCTG. Dr.
Samuel Bozzette is AVRC clinic director.
1990: Community Advisory Board established
to help researchers and community members understand each
other's priorities.
1990 2002: Dr. Diane
Havlir joins the AVRC as both the AVRC clinic
director and the principal investigator for ACTG studies,
working
closely with national and international leaders in HIV research.
In
2002, Dr. Havlir left the AVRC and Dr. Richman resumed position
of
AVRC director.
1997 to Present: Dr. Susan
Little obtains funding from the National
Institutes of Health and the
Universitywide AIDS Research Program, to establish a highly
successful program to evaluate treatment and management issues
unique to individuals infected within the last 12
months.
Please review our Adult
and Pediatric,
Perinatal, and Adolescent studies to get an idea of our
current research efforts.
On the move
As opportunities for HIV research expanded, the AVRC grew
rapidly. Between 1986 and 2000, the AVRC moved its offices
3 times and the staff grew to nearly 60. Many dedicated individuals
have been with the AVRC from its beginnings in a small office
on Third Avenue to its present location in a 13,000-square-foot
medical facility on Washington Street.
A new name
In 2001, the UCSD Antiviral Research Center changed its name
from the UCSD Treatment Center. This change reflects the Center's
studies of viral infections, antiviral medications, and the
opportunistic infections that often accompany viral illnesses.
Funding
The AVRC receives funding from five major sources:
1) National Institutes of Health (NIH) via
the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG).
2) Acute HIV Infection and Early Disease Research Program
(AIEDRP).
3) California Universitywide AIDS Research Program via the
California Collaborative Treatment Group (CCTG), a statewide
consortium directed by Dr. McCutchan.
4) Pharmaceutical companies that sponsor clinical trials of
antiviral medications.
5) Contributions from individuals and local companies
As a true pioneer in HIV research,
the AVRC continues its commitment to finding new answers.
There is still no cure and still more work to be done. You
can help the AVRC achieve its goals through a financial contribution
or participation
in a clinical trial. We invite you to share in our mission
to cure HIV and other viral diseases.
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