Below, you will find video testimonials from participants and clinical teams sharing their firsthand experiences with the RIO trial.
1. RIO trial interview with a participant
A RIO Trial participant kindly agreed to sit down with the RIO Trial Chief Investigator, Prof Sarah Fidler. In the interview, they give a first hand account of their experiences taking part in the trial and their feelings about pausing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as per of the trial.
2. Working on the RIO Trial
In this video, we hear from two members of the Brighton-based RIO Trial team: Dr. Mindy Clarke and Research Nurse C. Cable. They share their experiences working on the study, which involves participants pausing their antiretroviral therapy (ART) and attending regular clinic appointments for viral load testing. Following an infusion of the study drug, participants are closely monitored to assess the impact of treatment interruption. Once the virus is detected in the bloodstream, participants resume their ART and receive ongoing follow-up until their viral load returns to undetectable levels.
3. RIO trial interview with Clinical Research Nurse
In this video, Professor Sarah Fidler interviews Louise Terry, a Clinical Research Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, about her experience working on the RIO trial. Ms. Terry discusses the dedication of participants who balance numerous clinic visits with their daily routines and reflects on the rewarding experience of participating in this significant clinical study.
RIO trial experiences
The following four video clips feature two trial participants sharing their experiences as part of the RIO study.
1. RIO Trial interview with a participant
A RIO Trial participant kindly agreed to sit down with the RIO Clinical research fellow, Doctor Ming Lee. In the interview, they give a first hand account of being part in the trial dating back to 2022. The participant reflected on their experience of pausing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as part of the trial, and how regular clinic visits helped with the overall confidence in stopping treatment in RIO.
2. Continuing the journey: Follow up interview with a RIO participant
In this follow-up video, we revisit a RIO trial participant following their initial 2023 interview. The participant rejoins Professor Sarah Fidler, RIO Chief Investigator, to discuss their experience in the blinded study and the impact of remaining off-treatment while maintaining an undetectable viral load. As part of their ongoing routine, they continue to complete viral load tests twice a month.
3. RIO results on HIV viral control
Statistician Louise-Rae Cherrill, Dr. Ming Lee, and participant Carlos discuss results from the first phase of the RIO trial, a randomised, double-blind Phase 2 study of 68 participants evaluating the effectiveness of bNAbs against a placebo.
NEW: Final interview with RIO trial participant
In this final installment filmed in May 2026, we check in once more with our RIO trial participant. Having previously spoken with Professor Sarah Fidler at the start of the study in 2023 and again mid-trial in 2025, they now sit down with RIO investigator Dr. Tamara Elliott. In this interview, the participant discusses their experience receiving bNAb infusions (Arm A), reflects on the viral rebound process, and shares their perspective on returning to treatment.
