Canada: AIDS Experts Launch "CNN of Virology" in Canada

"ViroXchange," a new digital media service funded by large pharmaceutical companies, aims to promote partnership among doctors to advance the latest breakthroughs against HIV and other viruses, according to its Canadian promoters.

Unveiled at an annual HIV/AIDS conference in Montreal, the English- and French-language service will focus on producing online videos, said Guy-Charles Pelletier, CEO of the Neuhauz company and designer of the project. A team of reporters will provide independent coverage of the top 10 annual scientific conferences, videotaping specialists on current studies and developments in HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C research, Pelletier said.

Dr. Rejean Thomas, a noted Quebec AIDS expert, leads the province's biggest specialized clinic and will head the team editing the videos, in consultation with viroXchange's Scientific Committee. The videos will be shared online with health care providers around the world who cannot afford to travel to the conferences, and those who just want to stay apprised of findings without depending on major journals.

"ViroXchange broadens access to information by researchers in general, while allowing them to share their knowledge on a global scale," said Dr. Mark Wainberg, a member of viroXchange's Scientific Committee. "It's important for the scientific community to be aware of the latest trials and of their impact on research priorities and scenarios. In this context, viroXchange allows us to better collaborate."

Although viroXchange will start with 20 employees -- just 10 of them permanent -- Pelletier plans to expand the staff to 100 within three years, building what he refers to as the "CNN of virology."

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