November 27, 2008 - The Bonita Trust, an independent philanthropic trust, has made a significant donation to UK charity NAT (National AIDS Trust) to support its work around microbicides and vaccines to prevent HIV. In the same month the UK's Department for International Development also promised £220 million to new prevention technology research(1).

NAT is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming society's response to HIV. It works closely with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to advocate for and support the development of new prevention technologies to fight HIV.

Current prevention tools are not succeeding in stopping the spread of HIV. 33 million people are living with HIV. There were 2.7 million new HIV infections and 2 million AIDS-related deaths last year (2). A successful vaccine has the potential to end or slow new infections and research suggests a microbicide, which could be a gel, cream, vaginal tablet or vaginal ring, could avoid 2.5 million HIV infections over three years.

Ruth Parasol, Advisor to the Bonita Trust, comments:

"The Bonita Trust is pleased to support NAT in its vital work ensuring public, political and financial commitment for new technologies to prevent HIV.

The Bonita Trust supports projects that leverage new technology to tackle some of world’s most important health challenges. HIV is a global health crisis of epic proportions but new prevention technologies offer hope. Women in particular, many of whom are not empowered to protect themselves from HIV, will benefit from microbicides."

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments:

"For every two people that start treatment another five become newly infected. In order to tackle the pandemic effectively new prevention options must be developed.

Developing any vaccine is a long process which requires sustained commitment. This grant from Bonita will enable NAT to continue to advocate for and support the development of HIV vaccines and other new prevention technologies which offer the best chance we have of eradicating HIV."

Notes to the Editor:

1 "“ UK Calls for New Drive on HIV Research, DfID, November 2008
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/hiv-prevention.asp

2 - 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS, August 2008
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/2008_Global_report.asp

The Bonita Trust

The Bonita Trust was founded in 2004, under Gibraltar law, as an independent philanthropic trust by a subsidiary of PartyGaming Plc., whose then principals were Ruth Parasol, Anurag Dikshit, Vikrant Bhargava, and Russ DeLeon prior to the company's London Stock Exchange flotation in June 2005. Bonita was created to give back to the communities in which they, the company, and its staff live and work, past and present.

Bonita focuses the majority of its grant-making in five geographies: the United Kingdom, India, Israel, Bulgaria and Gibraltar and is also interested in answering some of the key global challenges facing society.

Most recently, Bonita was recognised by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust which awarded Bonita the Group Heritage Award in recognition of the contributions made towards the protection of Gibraltar's heritage. Bonita has also supported health and education projects in Gibraltar, India, and Israel and will continue to expand its grant-making in coming years.

As an independent philanthropic trust, Bonita is managed by a professional Trustee, who is advised by the International Advisory Board.

More information on Bonita and some details of its work to date can be found at: www.bonitatrust.org

NAT

NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK's leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expert advice and practical resources. We campaign for change.

Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.

www.nat.org.uk

Bonita Trust, The

Bonita Trust, The

The Bonita Trust was founded in 2004. Bonita's endowment results from a personal commitment by its principals to help communities address some of the important health and education challenges facing them, leveraging new technologies and Internet-based solutions. Based in Gibraltar, the Bonita Trust is committed to enriching the Gibraltar community through a programme of endowments to educational, cultural, health and community projects. In addition, the Bonita Trust funds projects internationally with three main fields of emphasis: 1. Prevention and Treatment - we have a deep desire to help tackle some of the World's health challenges; 2. Enterprise and Education - extending access to education through technology and the Internet and developing and supporting the emergence of women entrepreneurs; 3. Culture and Heritage - building on Bonita's contribution to protecting Gibraltar’s heritage and culture. Reflecting its heritage, Bonita focuses on programmes that use technology and the Internet to deliver their benefits to communities. In whatever we do, we are committed to making a tangible impact at the community level.

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