Welcome Message
from the Organizing Committee

Introduction

Although a substantial decline in AIDS incidence continues, the slope of this decline is decreasing, which may indicate that much of the benefit of existing therapies has been realized. Incomplete adherence to treatment regimens, toxicity and viral resistance may also play a role in the slowing rate of decline in AIDS incidence. Therefore, it is critical to keep abreast of new drug developments necessary to reverse this trend. Without independent conferences like HIV DART 2000, scientists and physicians would not have the opportunity to network with each other and communicate new information on novel regimens in productive and high-quality events.

Puerto Rico was chosen as the venue for this important conference not only because of its beautiful beaches and warm climate, but more importantly, because of the relatively high incidence of HIV/AIDS infection reported in the Caribbean.

HIV DART 2000

The four days of the Conference will be dedicated to the scientific program, which we are confident will give rise to constructive, educational discussion on a range of critical disease issues, including:

• Drug Design and Discovery: Viral Targets
• Chemistry and Pre-Clinical Development
• Viral Resistance
• Phenotypic and Genotypic Assays
• Pharmacology
• Immunotherapy in HIV Infection
• First-line and Salvage Therapy
• Treatment Failure and Drug Interactions
• Pediatrics
• HIV/Hepatitis and Other Co-infections
• Vaccines/Therapeutic Vaccines

Together, we will learn from each other in a relaxing but stimulating environment and, as a result, leave Puerto Rico will a renewed dedication to improve the lives of people infected with HIV/AIDS.

We hope that you will participate in the Frontiers in Drug Development for Antiretroviral Therapies, and we look forward to meeting you in Puerto Rico.

Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
Joep Lange
José Rodriguez

Co-chairs of HIV DART 2000
On behalf of the Organizing Committee