Statements by UNAIDS and NGO Leaders on the IPM-Merck-BMS Licensing Agreements

Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS

 “The search for an effective microbicide is crucial to providing women with more options to protect themselves against HIV infection. The partnerships announced today by the International Partnership for Microbicides with the pharmaceutical companies Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co., Inc., represent the kind of innovative collaboration needed with the private sector not only to make this technology a reality, but also to ensure that it reaches the millions of women around the world who could benefit from it.”

Mitchell Warren, Executive Director, AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition

“It is increasingly clear that developing new HIV prevention technologies will not happen in one isolated sector, but rather from sharing knowledge between the public and private sectors. These new collaborations between IPM and leading pharmaceutical companies are excellent examples of leveraging private sector expertise for public health good. And it is particularly gratifying to see industry joining in the search for microbicides.”

Dr. Polly Harrison, Director, Alliance for Microbicide Development

“The microbicide field is delighted that Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb have joined forces with us in the war against HIV. The agreements are a big step forward for the kind of public-private partnerships we need to expedite microbicide development, and I hope to see other companies with promising candidates do likewise.”

Ana Oliveira, Executive Director, Gay Men’s Health Crisis

“The development of microbicides for the prevention of HIV transmission could radically transform the pandemic and save the lives of millions of women, girls and men around the world. The decision by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck to offer the International Partnership for Microbicides royalty-free, non-exclusive licenses to develop microbicides using topical formulations of their antiretroviral drugs is an example other companies should follow. Solving the AIDS crisis means we cannot conduct business as usual and the decision to allow the IPM the rights to use their products is a sign that in one small way, industry is stepping up and assuming its social responsibility to the millions around the world at risk of HIV infection.”

Dr. Seth Berkley, President & CEO, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative

“IAVI congratulates Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) for their announcement today on a new collaboration to develop microbicides to protect women from HIV infection. On the eve of the TIME magazine Global Health Summit, convening 300 world leaders in New York to tackle health crises, the agreement underscores the critical role public-private partnerships (PPPs) play in advancing research and development for neglected diseases in poverty-striken regions of the world. With greater participation between industry, government and academia, there is every reason to expect we will be able to develop effective prevention technologies for AIDS and other diseases in the coming years. TIME Summit leaders should embrace the Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, IPM deal as an example the approaches that the public and private sector are taking together to help solve some of the world’s most serious health challenges.”

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive, National AIDS Trust (UK)

“NAT congratulates Merck & Co. and Bristol-Myers Squibb for offering royalty free licenses to the International Partnership for Microbicides for news AIDS drugs for the development of microbicides to protect women from HIV. This from the pharmaceutical industry is exactly the type of collaboration we need on HIV/AIDS prevention.”

For more information:

• Read the press release by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
• Read the press releases (PDF) by the National AIDS Trust and Alliance for Microbicide Development