APPROVAL OF NIH RESEARCH PROJECT ENTITLED "HIV-1 PROTEASE

UNCLAS BRASILIA 002610 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS TO DHHS/NIH/FIC FOR KBIALY WHA/BSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KSCA OSCI BR SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF NIH RESEARCH PROJECT ENTITLED "HIV-1 PROTEASE CD4+ TCELL EPITOPES AND DRUG-INDUCED MUTATIONS" REFS: A) STATE 22208, B) BRASILIA 373 ¶1. On December 12, 2006, Embassy received from the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Division of Science and Technology, (DCTEC/MFA) an official notification (number 065, dated December 04, 2006, 2006) approving the research project proposal entitled "HIV-1 Protease CD4+ T Cell Epitopes and Drug-Induced Mutations," (number AI 066961-01A1),under the direction of: Dr. Edecio Cunha- Neto. Informal translation of the approval notice follows: ¶2. Begin text: "Dear Counselor, I hereby inform you that after consultation with relevant federal agencies, the project "HIV-1 Protease CD4+ T Cell Epitopes and Drug-Induced Mutations", to be developed by Dr. Edecio Cunha-Neto, from the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, financially supported by the "National Institutes of Health" (NIH),was approved by the Brazilian government. ¶3. I emphasize that for the collection and transfer of data and/or biological material abroad, Brazilian researchers must request authorization from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq),in accordance with the legislation in force. Best regards, Cordially, Ricardo Novaes de Oliveira (Signature) Interim Head of the Division of Science and Technology" End of text. ¶3. The Embassy sees no adverse foreign policy implications with respect to this research project. We reiterate the importance of complying with Brazilian law on the export of data and biological material and medical research involving human beings. SOBEL