DLSMHSI Hosts R2D2HIV+ Study Team for HIV Diagnostic Research Site Assessment

By: Yzabella Francesca N. Sandejas, Lorianne Jenn J. Mangaoang, Armen Jheannie B. Aquino | Grants Acquisition and Management
On August 5, 2026, the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) welcomed Ms. Agnes Malobela, Clinical Trial Manager from the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) in Heidelberg, Germany, together with the administrative heads of Research Services and the study team of the Rapid Research Diagnostic Development for HIV+ (R2D2HIV+) Philippine site.
The R2D2HIV+ study is part of the broader R2D2 Research Network and builds on five years of research focused on developing new tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics. The study now expands this research into HIV point-of-care diagnostics, supporting efforts to make HIV testing more accessible and efficient.
From August 5 to 10, 2026, Ms. Malobela and the R2D2HIV+ team conducted site protocol orientations and visited the DLSUMC HIV Treatment Hub and enrollment sites. The team also conducted capacity-building activities for the local research team, including Good Clinical Practice training for diagnostic research.
The visit also included a cooperative meeting and laboratory tour at the National Reference Laboratory – STD/AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. The team reviewed laboratory processes relevant to the study and discussed agreements for viral load and CD4 reference testing.
The visit focused on assessing the R2D2HIV+ Philippines Study Site at DLSMHSI to ensure it was ready to conduct the study. This collaborative research initiative aims to improve HIV diagnosis and management, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), by accelerating diagnostic results and supporting accessible and affordable HIV testing in marginalized communities.










