Founded in 1996, IAVI has grown rapidly in stature, becoming an internationally
recognized advocacy group for HIV/AIDS vaccine research and development. It
has also succeeded in attracting famous donors to its cause: Microsoft chairman
Bill Gates—the world's wealthiest person—has given $1.5 million
financial support to IAVI as part of an expanding philanthropic effort, which
last month included a $100 million donation to support childhood vaccination
worldwide. And Sir Elton John, a long−standing supporter for AIDS programs,
who also gave CHF100,000 ($134,000) to the World Health Organization in November
to purchase Hepatitis B vaccine for developing countries, donated �150,000
($90,000) to the two new IAVI projects.
IAVI relies on annual contributions to stay afloat since it does not have
an endowment, raising questions about its ability to fund projects long−term.
But Caltech's David Baltimore believes that the major contributors appear
committed to the effort: "I would imagine that they do have the staying power
to make their trials happen."
