Huub Gelderblom | Director
Fred Hutch | United States

I currently lead clinical development for broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bnAbs) for HIV prevention--an approach also known as passive immunization or passive immunoprophylaxis. At the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), we work closely with partners to develop bnAbs as a new class of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

I'm a physician-scientist with an MD, MSc, and PhD from the University of Amsterdam, and an MPH from New York University. Over the past 20+ years, my work has focused on HIV, hepatitis C, trachoma, and SARS-CoV-2, with experience across Europe, Africa, and the U.S. I'm equally comfortable conducting bench science, facilitating high-level strategic discussions, and engaging with communities. I know how to explain complex medical and scientific concepts in plain language--whether I'm speaking with patients in public meetings or presenting to corporate executives.

A core part of my work is bringing diverse groups together--scientists, community members, funders, and policymakers--and helping them see that we're all aligned around the same mission. In addition to leading the clinical development of HIV bnAbs, I'm actively involved in shaping the broader conversation around the future of the global HIV response. PrEP remains vastly underutilized, and without a significant scale-up, we are unlikely to meet the UNAIDS goals for epidemic control. We need both more people on effective ART and dramatically more people on PrEP--potentially 50 to 100 million worldwide.

I enjoy breaking complex problems into manageable pieces, connecting the dots, and identifying what's missing. I'm also a drummer, which influences how I work. In the Fred Hutch Rock'n'Roll Division, our Cancer Center's house band, my job is to keep the rhythm steady, adapt to change, and help the whole group stay in sync--just like in my day job.