Perinatal HIV Research Unit

The Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU) is a world-renowned South African research entity affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand and based at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. Established in 1996, the unit has evolved from its initial focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV to becoming a global leader in clinical trials for HIV vaccines, tuberculosis treatments, and COVID-19 prevention. PHRU operates as a large-scale clinical research site, providing comprehensive services including trial management, sophisticated laboratory diagnostics, and community-based behavioral research. It serves as a critical partner for international networks such as the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) and the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN). The unit's work has been instrumental in shaping global health policy and developing life-saving medical interventions for infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.