The Netherlands renews their support to IAVI for the development of new HIV prevention technologies

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — FEBRUARY 22, 2023 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands confirmed their continued support to IAVI in advancing the development of new affordable and accessible HIV prevention technologies, especially for women and girls. The Ministry will award IAVI €21 million over the next five years as part of the Product Development Partnership IV Fund.

In 2021, 1.5 million people acquired HIV, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. In those regions, women, girls, as well as marginalized populations remain at disproportionate risk of HIV acquisition due to inadequate access to prevention options and treatment. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, six of seven new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15–19 years are among girls.

Over the next five years, IAVI will work with partners across Africa and in India to advance novel HIV vaccine and antibody approaches. The work will utilize scientific innovations such as mRNA technology as well as community-based research to ensure the products can be acceptable to end-users, notably women and girls, and be produced affordably and at scale so they can become broadly accessible once they have proven to be safe and effective.

“We are tremendously grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose generous continued support of IAVI enables the development of novel HIV prevention technologies,” said Mark Feinberg, IAVI president and CEO. “Significant progress is now being made in efforts to develop preventative HIV vaccine and neutralizing antibody products. The innovative approaches IAVI and our partners are advancing are needed now more than ever to meet the needs of people — especially adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa — unable to benefit from current prevention options and to help further accelerate efforts to achieve effective control of the AIDS pandemic.”

“The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs aims to stimulate the development of vaccines and medicines that contribute to preventing and combating HIV/AIDS and respond to the needs of people most affected by this disease,” said Pascalle Grotenhuis, director, Social Development Department (DSO). “A community-based approach to product development, such as pursued by IAVI, is essential to improve future access, uptake, and adherence to these products.”

“This work, supported by the Netherlands government, will further enable development and testing of new HIV vaccines and other preventive agents, while engaging vulnerable communities, especially young women, to understand what innovations they are most likely to embrace,” said Kundai Chinyenze, IAVI Africa director. “Furthermore, it facilities continued collaboration with our research partners in Africa and supports their increased leadership in discovery research and product development.”

The grant reflects a long-standing relationship between the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IAVI that dates back to 1999, and marks the resolve of both parties to address inequities in the response to HIV/AIDS and contribute to achieving an end to the epidemic. See our donor spotlight on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands to learn more about the Dutch support for IAVI.