Cold War Triangle
How Scientists in East and West Tamed HIV
Renilde Loeckx
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Monograph - paperback
VIEW Monograph - free ebook - PDFA small group of scientists were doggedly working in the field of antiviral treatments when the AIDS epidemic struck. Faced with one of the grand challenges of modern biology of the twentieth century, scientists worked across the political divide of the Cold War to produce a new class of antivirals. Their molecules were developed by a Californian start-up together with teams of scientists at the Rega Institute of KU Leuven and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Academy of Sciences in Prague. These molecules became the cornerstone of the blockbuster drugs now used to combat and prevent HIV. Cold War Triangle gives an insight into the human face of science as it recounts the extraordinary story of scientists in East and West who overcame ideological barriers and worked together for the benefit of humanity.
Read more on the book's dedicated website: www.coldwartriangle.com
Introduction
Chapter I. Leuven: a hotbed for antiviral research
Chapter II. Behind the Iron Curtain
Chapter III. Strange bedfellows: a Czech chemist and a Flemish virologist
Chapter IV. The sixties in Leuven and Prague
Chapter V. Enzymes: the secret of life as chemistry
Chapter VI. From interferon to nucleosides
Chapter VIII. The first antiviral drugs
Chapter IX. Aids emerges in the shadow of the Cold War
Chapter X. From passivity to action
Chapter XI. First attempts to halt the epidemic
Chapter XII. Finding the best therapy: the one-a-day-pill
Epilogue: Of scientists and crusaders
Album
Format: Monograph - paperback
Size: 234 × 156 mm
192 pages
b&w illustrations
ISBN: 9789462701137
Publication: September 13, 2017
Languages: English: United States
Stock item number: 117790
Henning Tümmers, Historische Zeitschrift // BAND 313 / 2021, DOI 10.1515/hzhz-2021-1450
David Kinkela, Diplomatic History, Volume 43, Issue 3, June 2019, Pages 592–594, https://doi.org/10.1093/dh/dhy100
Enthusiastic Endorsement from NATO's Secretary General
“I found the book explosively fascinating. The way it takes us through the labyrinth of Cold War virus research was riveting. It was like some real-life thriller as each discovery is made and each breakthrough announced.”
Lord Robertson, Former British Defense Minister and Secretary General of NATO (1999- 2004)
The book tells a fascinating story and gives a glimpse into the making of scientific discoveries, the rush for patents in research, and collaborative work during hostile political situations. It is mostly an enjoyable read, albeit skewed towards Western protagonists, and will surely enrich our understanding of the multitude of actors involved in HIV research and global scientific production.
Dora Vargha, H-Diplo, H-Net Reviews. February, 2019, http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=53143
Glowing remarks from a science
writer
"Your book was on top of my summer reading
pile and yes, it is great! It reads like a detective novel and I am amazed how
much science I learned from it, having both an MD and a PhD degree in
chemistry. Also, all the familiar names, Brachet, de Duve, Van
Montagu...It was a real treat to be reminded of such fascinating scientists that
I had met. Like a trip back in time when I accompanied Donny on meetings all
over the world. Thanks a lot for such a great work!"
Eliane Strosberg, MD, PhD in Chemistry, Author of “ART and SCIENCE“ and “The
Human Figure and Jewish Culture”
Rave review from Belgium’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Trade Commissioner
“Ambassador Loeckx tells with passion and vigor the story of one of the great breakthroughs in medicine: the containment of HIV that has saved millions of lives. It’s also a great story about the very nature of humanity: how cooperation among great minds from different horizons and disciplines transcended the Wall that once divided Europe.”
Karel De Gucht served as European Commissioner for Trade from 2010 to 2014 after being European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response. He was Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2009.
Accolade from a scientist-entrepreneur
"As a scientist in the seventies I had first hand experience on the hurdles of crossing political borders in advancing human knowledge. The book captures not only this intriguing story of scientists and entrepreneurs, but also evokes the quest for a deeper understanding of microbiology."
Dr. Jos B. Peeters. CEO Capricorn Venture Partners.
"I got to know a number of the scientists mentioned in the book and have read it with great interest. It gives an excellent account of an unfolding story of scientific, political and social interest. "
Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn. University of Strasbourg, France. Nobel Laureate in Chemistry.