In 2025, over 40 million people globally are living with HIV. While significant progress has been made in treatment, achieving remission without lifelong therapy seemed unreachable, until now. As a female entrepreneur deeply invested in innovative solutions, I find the recent advancements in achieving lasting remission for HIV both inspiring and insightful for anyone planning to turn ambitious ideas into reality. Lessons from these breakthroughs might just inspire entrepreneurs to rethink enduring challenges and long-term goals.
The Road to Long-Term HIV Remission
HIV treatment has relied on antiretroviral therapy (ART), a daily regimen that keeps the virus in check. Although lifesaving, the approach requires lifetime commitment, posing physical, financial, and emotional challenges. Recent breakthroughs in medical trials, however, are changing this narrative. These studies are exploring how to leverage engineered antibodies, known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), to achieve lasting remission. The science is fascinating, but what makes it practical is the potential to reduce the global dependency on ART altogether.
Two key clinical trials, FRESH and RIO, recently highlighted remarkable results in this space. They’ve demonstrated the power of pairing precision interventions like bNAbs with a deeper understanding of the immune system.
The Key Trials: What We’ve Learned
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FRESH Trial in South Africa
- Participants were treated with a combination of two engineered antibodies and an immune stimulant.
- Out of 20 patients, 4 remained off medication for over a year; one for an incredible 2.5 years.
- The approach showed that early intervention might hold the key to suppressing HIV long enough for the body to “step up” its fight.
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RIO Trial in Europe
- While similar in design to FRESH, RIO didn’t include an immune stimulant, relying solely on the bNABs.
- Of those involved, six participants achieved remission for over two years without medication.
- Even as ART was temporarily reintroduced for some, the data points to long-term remission as a real possibility.
These studies demonstrate that success comes when interventions don’t merely combat symptoms but focus on the root cause. Isn’t this akin to how entrepreneurs should approach their own ventures? A quick fix might suffice temporarily. However, sustainable success often requires addressing deeper challenges.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
As someone who bootstrapped ventures and worked across disciplines, here’s how breakthroughs in HIV remission can offer food for thought.
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Start with precision and adaptability.
Scientists didn’t just create antibodies and hope for results, they tailored their approach to target specific strains of HIV. Entrepreneurs can similarly design their strategies to match market needs or customer expectations. General solutions might work sometimes, but businesses thrive when they cater to their target audience. -
Learn from collaborative innovation.
The trials combined resources, diverse expertise, and global perspectives. For entrepreneurs, finding collaborators, whether co-founders, investors, or partners, who add value beyond financial resources is critical. Collaboration breeds sustainability. -
Embrace the long view.
Just as researchers aim for independence from continuous ART, we can strive to build businesses that are not dependent on nonstop intervention from the founder. Systems, teams, and processes can keep things running smoothly. -
Budget for the unknown.
Biomedical research relies heavily on grants and relies on funding resilience amidst setbacks. When building startups, financial planning must accommodate pauses or pivots without risking the entire business. Think of it as creating a buffer to handle unexpected challenges. -
Use technology to empower growth.
Researchers developed antibodies to work in tandem, amplifying each other’s abilities. Tools, platforms, and AI technologies can provide entrepreneurs with similar support, helping them scale without burning out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Ignoring foundational elements.
The successful trials built their approach by addressing the virus at its root. Have you identified the underlying challenge in your business, or are you treating symptoms? -
Over-expanding too quickly.
Like a mismatch between antibodies and viral strains, expanding before fine-tuning can lead to failure. Test small markets to ensure you align your product with actual demand. -
Neglecting adaptability.
Much like scientists analyzing their results mid-trial, pivoting is part of the process. Make space for feedback and iteration.
A Guide to Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges
Here’s a quick guide for European founders inspired by these medical breakthroughs:
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Research deeply.
The scientists worked with exceptional sensitivity to data and trends. Knowing your business problem inside out will increase your chances of creating something that matters. -
Design tailored solutions.
A “one-size-fits-all” model doesn’t really exist. Customers demand personalization, and tailoring solutions to fit regional cultures, habits, or trending niches could set you apart. -
Reassess regularly.
Results might vary, and so do market conditions. If an initial product approach fails, evaluate and re-strategize. -
Build teams of complementary strengths.
Expertise from a variety of backgrounds was key to the scientific breakthroughs. Apply this to partnerships, look for diverse skill sets and ideas outside your industry. -
Get the right resources early.
Much like how funding supports large-scale trials, invest effort in building financial, technological, and human resources for long-term growth.
Insights for the Future
The quest for an HIV remedy reflects humanity’s broader ability to address massive challenges with resilience and resourceful thinking. We often ask whether certain obstacles, in business or health, are too entrenched to overcome. But as these trials reveal, finding bold, targeted, and well-supported solutions takes determination. Just like FRESH and RIO aim for “functional cures,” we can create businesses that thrive independently with the right blend of structure and innovation.
Conclusion
These developments remind us that solutions don’t happen overnight. Innovation, the good kind, requires time and a focus on creating something meaningful. If you’re a female entrepreneur in Europe or elsewhere, let’s continue cultivating actionable ideas inspired by scientific persistence. All ventures, just like these medical advances, start with a problem worth solving. Putting faith in research, collaboration, and precision is always a step in the right direction.
Learn more about the journey to lasting HIV remission through the Knowable Magazine overview of clinical trials. Curious to see how these treatments may unfold? Let’s champion each breakthrough, not only for health but as inspiration for our own ambitions. Doing good and doing business should always intertwine.
FAQ
1. What is the significance of the recent HIV clinical trials?
Recent clinical trials, such as FRESH and RIO, have demonstrated that long-term HIV remission without daily antiretroviral therapy (ART) may be achievable using broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) and immune stimulants. These groundbreaking studies suggest a pathway to "functional cures" that can suppress the virus without continuous medication. Read more about the trials in Knowable Magazine.
2. What are broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs)?
Broadly neutralizing antibodies are engineered antibodies that target stable, less mutable parts of the HIV virus. By using them, scientists aim to suppress the virus and promote a lasting immune response. Learn more about bNAbs at ViiV Healthcare.
3. What are the unique findings of the FRESH trial?
In the FRESH trial conducted in South Africa, participants demonstrated viral suppression for extended periods without ART, with some remaining in remission for over a year. It combined bNAbs with vesatolimod, an immune stimulant crucial in targeting dormant HIV. Explore the study on Knowable Magazine.
4. What outcomes were observed in the RIO trial?
In the RIO trial conducted in Europe, participants were treated with two bNAbs. Six participants achieved remission for over two years without medication, showcasing the potential for a functional cure. Learn more about the RIO trial.
5. What challenges remain in achieving an HIV remission or cure?
Current challenges include ensuring scalability of treatments like bNAbs, reducing the cost of these therapies, and achieving similar levels of success in a more diverse patient population.
6. What similarities do HIV functional cures share with business strategies?
Both require precision, adaptability, and addressing the root cause of problems rather than temporary fixes. Lessons from these medical innovations can inspire entrepreneurs to think long-term and collaborate for enduring solutions.
7. How does the integration of bNAbs and immune stimulants improve outcomes?
Combining bNAbs with immune stimulants like vesatolimod helps expose dormant HIV in the body’s reservoirs, enabling the immune system to target and suppress the virus more effectively.
8. What lessons can female entrepreneurs draw from these HIV advancements?
Female entrepreneurs can learn from scientists’ precision, interdisciplinary collaborations, long-term vision, financial planning for uncertainties, and smart use of supportive technologies.
9. Are there any similarities between addressing HIV and business challenges?
Yes, both require identifying and addressing core issues, being open to innovation, and adopting sustainable strategies rather than short-term solutions.
10. Who were the key scientists behind these HIV remission studies?
The FRESH trial was led by Prof. Thumbi Ndung’u (University of KwaZulu-Natal & Africa Health Research Institute), while the RIO trial was directed by Prof. Sarah Fidler (Imperial College London). Learn more about Prof. Thumbi Ndung’u | Explore Prof. Sarah Fidler’s profile.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
