Infectious diseases continue to afflict mankind. Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death both in the developed and in the developing world. In addition, infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria cause secondary mortality and morbidity, including cancer, autoimmunity and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Hans Reiser will discuss biomedical challenges facing human populations, including the need for more effective methods of detection, prevention of outbreaks and transmission, and for novel therapeutics. Focusing primarily on HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis as examples, Dr. Reiser will describe key tools and approaches that are being developed to address these challenges.
In 1998, Dr. Reiser left academia for an appointment as head of immunology and inflammation research at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Connecticut, where he focused on the discovery of small molecules for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis. In 2004, he joined Gilead as Vice President, Biology, where he has been predominantly involved in the discovery and development of compounds for the treatment of viral infections (HIV, HBV, HCV, HPV, respiratory viruses) and cancer.
