The United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS has called on governments around the world to complement their existing efforts with a focus on developing new technologies, such as microbicides and vaccines, to prevent the spread of HIV. Both AIDS vaccines and microbicides could help to end the epidemic and increase the power of women to protect themselves from HIV infection, the meeting opined.

According to a press release, the meeting held on June 2 saw Indian and Brazilian health and science ministers joining UN leaders and heads of the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) in New York to discuss the importance of new HIV prevention technologies. The ministers also wanted to address the stigma challenges that often undermine national efforts to confront the disease.

The discussions focused on promising new preventive technologies such as microbicides, products in a gel, cream, or ring that could be applied topically to genital mucosal surfaces to reduce the transmission of HIV during sexual intercourse. It noted that microbicide development is advancing rapidly and five microbicide candidates have entered or are about to enter large-scale efficacy trials this year. The AIDS vaccine field is also making renewed progress with over 30 vaccine candidates in various stages of development in 20 countries.

"As we have seen in India, it is vital for emerging economies to build capacity to conduct research, which can have benefits well beyond the trials themselves," said Kapil Sibal, Minister of Science and Technology.

"The world needs better long-term solutions to the HIV pandemic," Seth Berkley, MD, President and CEO of IAVI said adding, "Greater collaboration – particularly between the North and the South – is making a significant difference.  Harnessing the talents of researchers in heavily-affected countries, speeding regulatory and trial processes, and working with communities will produce better technologies sooner."

"Vaccines offer the best long-term solution to the epidemic, and microbicides, which could be ready in 5-7 years, offer hope to the growing number of women who are vulnerable to HIV," said Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of IPM.  "HIV infection rates among women have risen dramatically in recent years. Developing technologies, including an effective microbicide whose use could be initiated by women, is a crucial step in combating the AIDS epidemic," Dr. Zeda added.

Financial support for AIDS vaccine research and development (R&D) is predominately provided by the public sector. Ninety per cent of this funding comes from governmental sources with 90% of that total coming from the United States, including the recent increase in funding from the US National Institutes of Health. Other important sources of support include philanthropic foundations, such as the recent commitment by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  In 2004, approximately $140 million was committed to microbicide research. The public sector contributed 85% of the total funds, 75% of which came from the United States. New incentives to increase industry engagement, which are currently being discussed in the field, are critical.

Next month, leaders from the G8 nations will review progress made since last year's endorsement of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, an alliance of independent organizations committed to accelerating the development of a preventive HIV vaccine. In the lead-up to the G8 summit in Scotland next month, the importance of continued support for HIV vaccines and microbicides has been reiterated.