Blood borne viruses

A single daily antiretroviral pill can now prevent HIV infection, and new drug formulations are saving children with AIDS. These are direct results from this MRC-funded Blood Borne Viruses programme, which targets hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV—the two blood-borne viruses responsible for the greatest global burden of death and illness. The problem is stark: infectious diseases remain major killers worldwide. This programme addresses the gap between existing scientific knowledge and practical, scalable treatments that work across all age groups. By designing and leading large international trials, the researchers ensure their findings translate directly into clinical guidelines and policy. The impact is already measurable. The programme has secured license approval for new antiretroviral treatments for children with HIV, improving their outcomes. It has produced a package of affordable anti-infective medicines that reduces mortality in people presenting with AIDS. And it has demonstrated that a single pill a day can prevent HIV infection entirely. Together, these advances contribute directly to the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating AIDS globally. The work is applied, not fundamental—it changes what doctors prescribe and what health systems deliver, from paediatric clinics in the UK to resource-limited settings worldwide.