Forum for Collaborative HIV Research Announces New Deputy Director

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 7, 2010 - The Forum for Collaborative HIV Research is pleased to announce that, effective today, Jur Strobos MD JD joins the Forum as its Deputy Director.

Dr. Strobos brings to the Forum more than 30 years of experience working in patient health care, clinical research, and international drug regulation.  His areas of expertise include drug law, clinical study design and good manufacturing practices. His medical experience was shaped during the early years of the HIV epidemic, when, as a surgical resident at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, he began seeing young men dying from an unusual and then-unexplained illness. His pro bono public service includes six years as a clinical and pharmaceutical development consultant for the AIDS Research Alliance. 

"Dr. Strobos' diverse areas of expertise embody the Forum's own approach to interdisciplinary collaboration," said Dr. Veronica Miller, the Forum's Executive Director.  "Jur brings intimate knowledge of the worlds of patient care, drug development, government and public policy. His executive management experience spans the public and private sectors."

The Forum for Collaborative HIV Research works to identify and advance emerging issues in the prevention, care and treatment of people affected by HIV/AIDS. As Deputy Director, Dr. Strobos will collaborate closely with Dr. Miller to develop the Forum's long-term vision, hone its strategy and strengthen relationships with regulatory agencies.  In addition, he will help to lead efforts that span the complex nexus of regulatory and development issues related to new drug development and delivery for patients with HIV/AIDS. 

"The year 2010 offers new opportunities to advance the testing and therapies that can turn around the HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Dr. Judith Aberg, co-chair of the Forum Executive Committee and Director of Virology at the New York University School of Medicine. "We welcome Dr. Strobos to the Forum's leadership team in this time of change and promise."

Dr. Strobos served as Director of Policy Research in the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There, he worked closely with then-FDA Commissioner Kessler on a number of issues, including standards for review of pharmaceutical products, the design of clinical studies, and international harmonization of review standards.

His regulatory and clinical consulting work has been based at the law firm of Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Bode Matz, PC, Washington, DC, and has included the impact on regulatory policy in the review of applications in AIDS drugs, orthopedics, oncology, nephrology, hematology, and cell therapy.  Strobos has also consulted on international regulatory issues regarding Canadian and EMEA Drug Regulations.

While at Olsson, Dr. Strobos has also served, on an interim basis, as Vice-President of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs for three pharmaceutical companies, where he guided the nonclinical and clinical development of drugs, medical devices, and biological products.

Dr. Strobos received degrees from Johns Hopkins University (BA), the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine (MD) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (JD).