Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative - Government of Canada
www.chvi-icvv.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
HIV/AIDS
HIV Vaccine
Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative
- What's New
- About Us
- Goals
- CHVI Progress
- Guiding Principles
- Program Areas
- Discovery and Social Research
- Clinical Trial Capacity Building
- Policy and Regulatory Issues/Community and Social Dimensions
- Planning, Coordination and Evaluation
- Collaborators
- Committees
- Funding Opportunities
- Meetings
- Reports and Publications
- Useful Links
- Archive
Reports & Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do we need an HIV vaccine?
- How long will it be before the world gets an HIV vaccine?
- How much will an HIV vaccine cost, and who can afford it?
- Why is it important to conduct HIV vaccine trials in LMICs and diverse population groups?
- Where are trials happening around the world?
- Why is community involvement so important to HIV vaccine development?
- What is the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise?
Canadian
HIV Vaccine
Initiative
between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationAn Update On The Hiv Vaccine Manufacturing Facility
February 19, 2010
The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) was established in 2007 to help accelerate global efforts to develop a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine.
Since 2007, the CHVI has endeavoured to address critical gaps identified in the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise’s Scientific Strategic Plan (SSP) published in 2005, by supporting leading edge discovery and social research, building strong working relationships with international partners and increasing engagement of local communities in this important work.
One of the gaps identified in 2005 was a lack of pilot scale manufacturing to produce HIV vaccines for clinical trials in North America. As a result, the CHVI committed to dedicate significant funding for the establishment of a pilot scale manufacturing facility in Canada with additional funds committed from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
In April 2008, the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation invited applications from not-for-profit corporations to establish a pilot scale manufacturing facility in Canada.
A thorough, evidence-based review of all applications was completed. This included an internal review and external review by an international expert panel. None of the applicants were found to be successful in meeting the pre-established criteria.
As part of the due diligence process, a study commissioned by the Gates Foundation to analyse current vaccine manufacturing capacity concluded that there is currently sufficient vaccine manufacturing capacity in North America and Europe to meet research needs. This is good news for the HIV vaccine field. This report is available upon request to the CHVI Secretariat.
After weighing all of the evidence, the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation have decided not to proceed with the pilot-scale vaccine manufacturing facility. Other CHVI programs are unaffected by this decision and will continue to move forward.
As with any initiative, we need to ensure that proposals meet application criteria and represent value for money for our respective organizations, as well as Canadian taxpayers. Capacity for scientific research is evolving globally and the Government of Canada must invest its resources where they will be most effective in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Moving forward, the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation will continue to work together to fund HIV prevention and remain committed to the previously announced funding levels over five years - up to $111 million from the Government of Canada and up to $28 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Both parties remain committed to accelerating the development of safe, effective, accessible and affordable HIV vaccines, as one of our key priorities.
Given the importance of our objectives, we are examining all options and will take the time needed to ensure that the direction we take and the activities we choose to support yield the best possible results. Further details will be provided once the areas of investment have been further defined.
For more information - Canadian HIV Vaccine Inititative Progress
The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative
The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI), Canada’s contribution to the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise 
, is a five-year collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation , and represents a significant Canadian contribution to global efforts to develop a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine.
The Minister of International Cooperation, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Industry collaborate on the implementation of the CHVI, with the Minister of Health leading its overall coordination.
Participating federal departments and agencies are the Canadian International Development Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Industry Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Health Canada.
Government of Canada HIV/AIDS Response
The CHVI is a key element in the Government of Canada’s commitment to a comprehensive, long-term approach to addressing HIV/AIDS, domestically and internationally.
