Tsepamo Next Generation: Improving HIV Treatment and Prevention for Pregnant Women
Official title: Tsepamo Next Generation: Optimizing HIV Treatment and Prevention Strategies for Pregnant Women in Botswana
Funded at Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11416618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in Botswana will explore safer two-drug HIV treatment during pregnancy and ways to prevent HIV in expectant mothers and their babies, with findings that could benefit women worldwide.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $697,162 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD120132-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant women living with HIV and their infants, particularly in Botswana and similar settings, including those transitioning to DTG/3TC.
✕Less likely to help
Pregnant women not living with HIV or those not receiving two-drug ART; infants not exposed to HIV may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses existing surveillance data and an emulated clinical trial within the Tsepamo framework to test two-drug ART (DTG/3TC) in pregnancy and examine outcomes for mothers and infants. It will look at maternal weight gain, viral suppression, birth outcomes, and the risk of vertical transmission, leveraging over 2,400 mother–child pairs. The study will also investigate how to identify new HIV infections in pregnant women, using phylogenetic analyses and detailed interviews to understand risk factors and transmission dynamics. By combining clinical data with interviews, the research aims to inform safer treatment choices and targeted prevention strategies in both the US and resource-limited settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to safer, more effective HIV treatment during pregnancy and better strategies to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
How similar studies have gone: The Tsepamo surveillance system has an established framework; initial observations support feasibility, with this study proposing an emulated trial within that system.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shapiro, Roger L — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Shapiro, Roger L
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.