Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative Progress

Since its inception in 2007, the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) has supported work towards the development of a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine.

The CHVI has worked to promote greater collaboration between researchers in Canada and in low-and middle-income countries, and has made progress to enhance global capacity for clinical trials. The Initiative has also strengthened policy approaches that will promote global access to HIV vaccines.

Some of the key successes of the CHVI include:

• Providing over $3 million in funding for projects to strengthen capacity and promote greater involvement and collaboration among researchers in Canada and developing countries;

• Launching a competitive process to fund projects that will increase the capacity to conduct high-quality clinical trials of HIV vaccines, and other HIV preventive technologies, in developing countries;

• Providing more than $500,000 in funding to strengthen Canada’s contribution to HIV vaccine-related policy development and community engagement efforts; 

• Conducting research on key policy issues, and identifying opportunities for new HIV prevention technologies and private-public sector partnerships; and

• Providing more than $750,000 to the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise to foster collaboration among their stakeholders; identify the latest scientific developments and gaps in HIV vaccine research; and further develop their global Scientific Strategic Plan.

 

These CHVI projects are unaffected by the decision not to move forward with the HIV vaccine manufacturing facility, and will continue to be implemented. Progress will continue as we adapt our plans to direct our resources where they can make the strongest impact in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Moving forward, the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will continue to work together and have reiterated their financial commitments to support HIV prevention. Both parties remain committed to accelerating the development of safe, effective, accessible and affordable HIV vaccines, as one of our key priorities.