IAVI President Berkley to Advocate for Doubling HIV/AIDS Vaccine Research Funding at World Economic Forum

International AIDS Vaccine Initiative President Seth Berkley ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2006 this week in Davos, Switzerland, said he plans to advocate for a doubling of commitments from policymakers and other participants at the forum for HIV/AIDS vaccine research to at least $1.2 billion annually, Reuters reports (Hirschler, Reuters, 1/25). IAVI estimates that about $682 million is spent annually on HIV/AIDS vaccine research and development, with about $100 million coming from the private sector (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/3). Berkley said the potential bird flu epidemic has highlighed the problems that result from not taking a long-term approach to vaccine development based on economic incentives for private companies. "The whole system for vaccines is not aligned properly," Berkley said, adding, "We have to find better ways to accelerate research, finance research and to create incentives for pharmaceutical companies." He said the Group of Eight industrialized nations has expressed support for making HIV/AIDS vaccine research a priority at six different meetings -- including the 2005 meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland -- but implementation of promises remains an important obligation, Reuters reports (Reuters, 1/25).

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