Funding for HIV vaccine research on the rise

BANGKOK - China invested more than $18 million in HIV vaccine research and development in 2010, becoming the third largest contributor globally, after the United States and the European Union, according to a report endorsed by UNAIDS.

Internationally, HIV vaccine research and development (R&D) funding stood at $859 million last year, $9 million less than 2009, while China increased its spending by nearly $4 million over the same period, said the global report issued jointly by international organizations including AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

"The long-term nature of vaccine research will require sustained investments globally and more developing countries like China are expected to shoulder more responsibilities," Kevin Fisher, the coalition's policy director said at the 2011 AIDS Vaccine Conference, which opened on Tuesday.