11.30.2007 - 10:15am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK - November 29, 2007 - In advance of World AIDS Day on December 1, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) announced that BD, a global medical technology company, will provide the non-profit organization with US$900,000 in cash, equipment and medical supplies over a three–year period. BD's support, a 50-percent increase on an annual basis over its prior five-year grant, will provide critical technologies for IAVI’s laboratories in the U.S., Europe, India and Africa. This equipment will play an essential role in helping to consistently evaluate the efficacy of AIDS vaccine candidates tested worldwide.

"BD has been a valued partner of IAVI for the last six years, and we applaud the company's longstanding support for AIDS vaccine research," said John McGoldrick, Senior Vice President at IAVI. "BD's generous donations have helped IAVI run a dynamic network of clinical research centers worldwide that consistently operate at international standards."

In addition to US$300,000 in cash, BD will donate US$600,000 worth of diagnostic technologies to examine immunological samples taken in pre-clinical and clinical tests. These tools will help IAVI to both expand and standardize assay development in its laboratories worldwide, and ultimately to systematically compare and prioritize AIDS vaccine candidates.

"We are pleased to extend our partnership with IAVI and hope that our commitment inspires other companies to support essential AIDS vaccine research," said William Kozy, BD Executive Vice President. "By supporting IAVI in its effort to develop an AIDS vaccine, BD continues pursuing our corporate purpose of 'Helping all people live healthy lives.'"

IAVI researches and develops AIDS vaccine candidates and conducts HIV clinical trials and research through partnerships with more than 40 academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and government institutions. Over the past ten years, IAVI and its partners have advanced six vaccine candidates into human trials in 11 different countries. As one of IAVI's earliest corporate donors, BD has provided significant financial and technical support for the organization.

Together with IAVI, businesses can help to drive both political will and scientific progress to curb the AIDS epidemic. In addition to BD, Continental Airlines, Google, Merck, Henry Schein, Inc. and Pfizer have all worked with IAVI, providing financial support, equipment, scientific talent, logistical support and increased visibility for AIDS vaccine development.

About IAVI

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. Founded in 1996 and operational in 24 countries, IAVI and its network of collaborators research and develop vaccine candidates. IAVI's financial and in-kind supporters include the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, the John D. Evans Foundation, The New York Community Trust, the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Starr Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the Governments of Canada, Denmark, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Basque Autonomous Government as well as the European Union; multilateral organizations such as The World Bank; corporate donors including BD, Continental Airlines, Google Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. and Pfizer Inc.; leading AIDS charities such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Until There's A Cure Foundation; other private donors such as The Haas Trusts; and many generous individuals from around the world. For more information, see www.iavi.org

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