Dr. Raymond Schinazi is the Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University and co-Director of the HIV Cure Scientific Working Group for the NIH-sponsored Emory University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). He has authored over 550 peer- reviewed papers and 7 books and holds over 100 issued US patents, which have resulted in 26 New Drug Applications (NDA). Dr. Schinazi is on the editorial board of several journals, including Antiviral Research, AIDS Reviews, Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy and Antiviral Therapy. He is the founder of the highly successful HIV- and HEP-DART conferences. He is a Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and served on the Presidential Commission on AIDS. Dr. Schinazi is the founder of several biotechnology companies focusing on antiviral drug discovery and development, including Pharmasset Inc., Triangle Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Gilead in 2003), Idenix Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Merck in 2014), and Cocrystal Pharma (formed in Sept 2004). He is best known for his innovative and pioneering work on d4T (stavudine), 3TC (lamivudine), FTC (emtriva), L-DT (Telbivudine) and SOF (Sovaldi) drugs that are now approved by the FDA. In September 2018, Dr. Schinazi received France’s highest civilian honor, Chevalier de la Légions D’honneur for saving millions of lives globally. Dr. Schinazi serves as Trustee on the amfAR Board of Directors. He is internationally recognized as one of the most influential persons in the life science sector. Dr. Schinazi brings his extensive experience in drug discovery and development to VIC.