AIDS Research Alliance

{{Infobox organization

| name = AIDS Research Alliance of America

| logo = AIDS Research Alliance logo.png

| founded_date = 1989

| location = Los Angeles, California

| origins =

| key_people = Carolyn H. Carlburg, J.D., Chief Executive Officer

Stephen J. Brown, M.D., Medical Director

| area_served = United States

| focus =

| revenue =

| endowment =

| num_employees =

| homepage = [http://aidsresearch.org AIDS Research Alliance: Home]

}}

AIDS Research Alliance of America (ARAA) was a national community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research institution that sought to develop a cure for HIV/AIDS, medical strategies to prevent new HIV infections and better treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS.{{cite web |url=http://www.centerwatch.com/news-resources/research-centers/profile-details.aspx?ProfileID=659 |title=CenterWatch Research Center Profile Pages |publisher=Centerwatch.com |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214024738/http://www.centerwatch.com/news-resources/research-centers/profile-details.aspx?ProfileID=659 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} From 1989 to 2015, ARAA conducted over 150 clinical and pre-clinical studies,{{cite web|url=http://search.centerwatch.com/default.aspx?SearchQuery=aids%20research%20alliance |title=CenterWatch |publisher=Search.centerwatch.com |access-date=January 12, 2012}} ranging from alternative therapies{{cite conference|title=Broad-Spectrum Micronutrient Supplementation in HIV-infected Patients With Dideoxynucleoside-related Peripheral Neuropathy: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial |author1=J Kaiser |author2=J Ondercin |author3=G Santos |author4=G Leoung |author5=S Brown |author6=M Mass |author7=M Baum |conference=11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections |location=San Francisco |date=February 8–11, 2004 |url=http://www.jonkaiser.com/docs/11x17poster.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321181147/http://www.jonkaiser.com/docs/11x17poster.pdf |archive-date=March 21, 2006 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.fiar.us/11thCROI-fin.html |title=Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research Report on the 11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, February 2004 |publisher=Fiar.us |date=February 10, 2004 |access-date=January 12, 2012}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.medherb.com/Materia_Medica/Allium_sativum_-_Antibiotic_and_Immune_Properties.htm |title=Allium sativum: Antibiotic and Immune Properties |last=Bergner |first=Paul |year=2001 |work=Medical Herbalism |publisher=North American Institute of Medical Herbalism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040817000237/http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/Allium_sativum_-_Antibiotic_and_Immune_Properties.htm |archive-date=August 17, 2004 |url-status=live |access-date=February 23, 2013 }} that employed a complementary approach to HIV care to the first in-human HIV vaccine trial.{{cite conference

display-authors=8|date=July 2003 |conference=National HIV Prevention Conference |conference-url=http://www.aegis.org/DisaplayConf/abstList.aspx?Conf=77 |location=Atlanta, Georgia, United States |id=T3-D0502 |access-date=February 23, 2013 }} AIDS Research Alliance was partly responsible for "fast-tracking" to market half of today's anti-HIV treatments.

History

In 1989, a group of Southern California physicians and philanthropists, led by Paul Joseph Rothman, M.D. and Matthew Rushton, Hollywood film producer of Mrs. Doubtfire, founded Search Alliance to speed the discovery and development of effective treatments against HIV and its complications.{{cite web|url=http://aidsresearch.org/about_us/historyandaccomplishments.html |title=AIDS Research Alliance website |publisher=Aidsresearch.org |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208170302/http://www.aidsresearch.org/about_us/historyandaccomplishments.html |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

Working with physicians who were experimenting with potential treatments in their private practices, the organization pooled data and identified promising experimental regimens. The staff designed the studies, coordinated the data collection of Alliance physicians, and analyzed and published the results.{{cite web|url=http://aidsresearch.org/about_us/historyandaccomplishments.html |title=AIDS Research Alliance website, retrieved 05/01/09 |publisher=Aidsresearch.org |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208170302/http://www.aidsresearch.org/about_us/historyandaccomplishments.html |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

In 1995, Search Alliance changed its name to AIDS Research Alliance of America and centralized all research activities in one licensed facility based in Los Angeles. This allowed ARAA to identify and manage scientific, clinical and organizational strategies with a staff of dedicated research professionals, while maintaining affiliations with physicians, academics and scientists in research institutions around the world.{{cite journal |doi=10.1097/01.qai.0000230524.71717.14 |title=Lack of Decay of HIV-1 in Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Reservoirs in Maximally Suppressed Individuals |year=2006 |last1=Poles |first1=Michael A. |last2=Boscardin |first2=W. John |last3=Elliott |first3=Julie |last4=Taing |first4=Philip |last5=Fuerst |first5=Marie M.P. |last6=McGowan |first6=Ian |last7=Brown |first7=Stephen |last8=Anton |first8=Peter A. |s2cid=8761240 |journal=Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes |volume=43 |pages=65–8 |pmid=16936559 |issue=1|doi-access=free }}

{{lay source |template=cite web |title=Researchers Discover Gut Tissue To Be A Major Reservoir Harboring HIV |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060826101735.htm |website=ScienceDaily |date=August 26, 2006}}{{cite web |url=http://mdp.ctrl.ucla.edu/site-consents |title=Anorectal Microbicide Project – Rectal Health Behaviors & Microbicide Acceptability. consent form; National Institutes of Health June 2006 |publisher=Mdp.ctrl.ucla.edu |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224120246/http://mdp.ctrl.ucla.edu/site-consents |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite journal |doi=10.1128/JVI.78.19.10507-10515.2004 |title=Dual Role of Prostratin in Inhibition of Infection and Reactivation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from Latency in Primary Blood Lymphocytes and Lymphoid Tissue |year=2004 |last1=Biancotto |first1=A. |last2=Grivel |first2=J.-C. |last3=Gondois-Rey |first3=F. |last4=Bettendroffer |first4=L. |last5=Vigne |first5=R. |last6=Brown |first6=S. |last7=Margolis |first7=L. B. |last8=Hirsch |first8=I. |journal=Journal of Virology |volume=78 |issue=19 |pages=10507–15 |pmid=15367617 |pmc=516376}}{{cite journal |pmid=15385732 |year=2004 |last1=Hendrix |first1=CW |last2=Collier |first2=AC |last3=Lederman |first3=MM |last4=Schols |first4=D |last5=Pollard |first5=RB |last6=Brown |first6=S |last7=Jackson |first7=JB |last8=Coombs |first8=RW |last9=Glesby |first9=MJ |last10=Flexner |first10=CW |last11=Bridger |first11=GJ |last12=Badel |first12=K |last13=MacFarland |first13=RT |last14=Henson |first14=GW |last15=Calandra |first15=G |last16= |first16= |title=Safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of AMD3100, a selective CXCR4 receptor inhibitor, in HIV-1 infection |volume=37 |issue=2 |pages=1253–62 |journal=Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes|doi=10.1097/01.qai.0000137371.80695.ef |s2cid=22411443 |doi-access=free }}

In 2009, ARAA relocated from West Hollywood, where it had been located for 14 years, to a larger research facility in downtown Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Research+space:+AIDS+Research+Alliance+has+leased+office+space+at+the...-a0191427413|title=Research space: AIDS Research Alliance has leased office space at the California Professional Center building. Los Angeles Business Journal 12/01/08}}

As a community-based organization, ARAA served as a bridge between communities at risk of HIV and government-funded research. It collaborated with government-sponsored researchers and pharmaceutical companies, but also advocated for and conducted research that was not driven by the demand for profitability.Trials By Fire. Williams, S; POZ No. 12, P. 56; (02/96-03/96) ARAA was licensed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a drug to combat HIV - prostratin.{{cite web|url=http://www.loislaw.com/ogpc/login.htp?WSRet=12&dockey=12169815@USFR00&OLDURL=/gpc/index.htp&OLDREFURL=http%3A//news.google.com/archivesearch%3Fq%3D%2522aids%2Bresearch%2Balliance%2522%2Bnih%26btnG%3DSearch%26hl%3Den%26ned%3Dus%26um%3D1%26scoring%3Da |title=Federal Register 2000: 65 FR 79873 Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Treatment of HIV |publisher=Loislaw.com |access-date=January 12, 2012}} Carolyn H. Carlburg, J.D. was the last Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer,{{cite web |url=https://people.forbes.com/profile/carolyn-h-carlburg/86006 |title=Forbes.com retrieved 05/08/06 |work=Forbes |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111220051139/http://people.forbes.com/profile/carolyn-h-carlburg/86006 |archive-date=December 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://philanthropy.com/premium/articles/v17/i15/15004101.htm |title=The Chronicle of Philanthropy v.17 06/01/2005 |publisher=Philanthropy.com |date=May 12, 2005 |access-date=January 12, 2012}} and Stephen J. Brown, M.D. was the Medical Director.{{cite web |url=http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/pavement/city/aids-researchers-say-the-work-is-personal/ |title=AIDS Researchers Say the Work is Personal. Fair F; NYU Journalism School – NYC Pavement Pieces 01/11/08 |publisher=Journalism.nyu.edu |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618210000/http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/pavement/city/aids-researchers-say-the-work-is-personal/ |archive-date=June 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Research

AIDS Research Alliance of America focused its research and development program on several core areas, including the clinical trials of anti-HIV drugs that inhibited the virus in novel ways, and new medical strategies – like microbicides and vaccines – that prevented the spread of HIV.{{cite web|url=http://aidsresearch.org/scientific/scientificinnovation.html |title=AIDS Research Alliance website |publisher=Aidsresearch.org |access-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229023148/http://www.aidsresearch.org/scientific/scientificinnovation.html |archive-date=December 29, 2011 }} ARAA conducted clinical trials aimed at treating the medical disorders that accompany HIV, including HIV-associated lipodystrophy,{{cite journal |id={{INIST|18907012}} |pmid=17592343 |year=2007 |last1=Grunfeld |first1=C |last2=Leighty |first2=M |last3=Shen |first3=SJ |last4=Brouwers |first4=G |last5=Lee |first5=D |last6=Muurahainen |first6=N |last7=Kotler |first7=DP |last8= |first8=|title=Recombinant human growth hormone to treat HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome: 12 week induction and 24-week maintenance therapy |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=286–97 |doi=10.1097/QAI.0b013e3180691145 |journal=Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes|doi-access=free }} diarrhea and neuropathy.{{cite journal |doi=10.1212/01.wnl.0000314647.35825.9c |title=Controlled trial of high-concentration capsaicin patch for treatment of painful HIV neuropathy |year=2008 |last1=Simpson |first1=D. M. |last2=Brown |first2=S. |last3=Tobias |first3=J. |journal=Neurology |volume=70 |issue=24 |pages=2305–13 |pmid=18541884 |last4= |first4=|s2cid=45796136 }} Developing strategies that eliminated HIV viral reservoirs became a major research initiative of ARAA.{{cite web|last=Stix |first=Gary |url=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=luring-hiv-from-hiding |title=Luring HIV from Hiding |date=May 13, 2008 |work=Scientific American |access-date=January 12, 2012}} This included its work on prostratin,{{cite journal |pmid=16391719 |year=2005 |last1=Hezareh |first1=M |title=Prostratin as a new therapeutic agent targeting HIV viral reservoirs |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=496–500 |doi=10.1358/dnp.2005.18.8.944543 |journal=Drug News & Perspectives}} a potential reservoir ablative agent that ARAA had in-licensed from NIH. In 2008, ARAA filed a new patent on prostratin and its analogues, thus broadening its research platform targeting the HIV reservoirs.Methods of Administering Prostratin and Structured Analogues Thereof. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (ISA/US), April 11, 2008

Funding

AIDS Research Alliance of America funded its research by using a business model that included contract research as well as tax-deductible donations from private individuals, corporations and foundations. ARAA conducted clinical trials for major pharmaceutical sponsors including Pfizer, Merck, Theratechnologies, Schering-Plough, Tibotec, NeurogesX, National Institutes of Health, Serono, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Agouron, GlaxoSmithKline, Orasure Technologies, Gilead Sciences, and many others.{{cite journal |pmid=11367131 |year=1999 |title=Hydroxychloroquine+ddI+Hydroxyurea antiretroviral trial, AIDS Research Alliance, Los Angeles |issue=332 |pages=8 |journal=AIDS Treatment News |url=http://www.thebody.com/content/art31566.html#trial}}{{cite web |url=http://www.aegis.com/news/bw/2001/BW010311.html |title=Business Wire 03/29/01 |publisher=Aegis.com |date=March 29, 2001 |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214152538/http://www.aegis.com/news/bw/2001/BW010311.html |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.prnwire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/9-17-97/318895&EDATE|title=None}}{{cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-17428068_ITM |title=Financial Times – Europe Intelligence Wire 08/29/06 |publisher=Accessmylibrary.com |date=August 29, 2006 |access-date=January 12, 2012}}

Funders and partners to ARAA included The Ahmanson Foundation, Capital Group Companies, City of West Hollywood, Concord Music Group, David Michod, Douglas MacBride Kinney, Entertainment AIDS Alliance, The Joseph Drown Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, MacHeist,{{Cite web |url=http://macteens.com/magazine/features/fullstory/macheist_raises_50000_for_charity/ |title=MacHeist raises $500,000 for Charity. Wolsey, G; |publisher=Macteens |access-date=June 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106191830/http://macteens.com/magazine/features/fullstory/macheist_raises_50000_for_charity/ |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The MacDonald Family Foundation, The Pepsi Refresh Project, The Silva Watson Moon Walk Fund, The University Wide AIDS Research Program [the University of California], the Division of AIDS [NIH], Until There is a Cure, and many others.{{cite web|url=http://aidsresearch.org/about_us/araannualreport.html |title=AIDS Research Alliance 2007 Annual Report |publisher=Aidsresearch.org |access-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007174900/http://aidsresearch.org/about_us/araannualreport.html |archive-date=October 7, 2011 }}

ARAA participated each year in the Combined Federal Campaign,{{cite web |url=http://www.fedglobe.org/links/cfclist.html |title=Federal Globe website |publisher=Fedglobe.org |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801041341/http://www.fedglobe.org/links/cfclist.html |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} as part of the Medical Research Charities Federation and received high ratings from the American Institute of Philanthropy{{cite web |author=Daniel Borochoff |url=http://www.charitywatch.org/azlist.html |title=American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Listing |publisher=Charitywatch.org |date=August 24, 2002 |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111224232/http://www.charitywatch.org/azlist.html |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }} and Charity Navigator.{{cite web|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.comments&orgid=7701 |title=Charity Navigator |publisher=Charity Navigator |access-date=January 12, 2012}} ARAA hosted a number of fundraising events – including ArtSeen featuring A Taste of Los Angeles{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqpVldXGspk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/mqpVldXGspk |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|title=YouTube ArtSeen Footage |work=Youtube |date=June 4, 2007 |access-date=January 12, 2012}}{{cbignore}} and was a beneficiary of events like Macy's Passport In-Store, Spinning Nation and the Game Show Congress.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

ARAA previously earned three and four-star ratings from Charity Navigator for exceeding or meeting industry standards and performing as well as or better than most charities in its space.{{cite web|title=Charity Navigator|url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7701|publisher=Charity Navigator|access-date=5 April 2012}}

References

External links

AIDS Research Alliance is defunct; their website is not active; someone else unrelated had taken it over. It is now offline.
[https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/usfblogs.usfca.edu/dist/9/244/files/2021/04/Ethical-Leadership-Case-Study-Paper.pdf After it closed - a case study of ARA's management at its end.]

Category:Medical research institutes in the United States

Category:HIV/AIDS research organisations

Category:Medical and health organizations based in California

Category:HIV/AIDS organizations in the United States