China has made significant commitments to controlling its AIDS epidemic, making large investments in prevention and treatment programs. It has also signaled a determination to invigorate its life sciences research and development (R&D) capabilities to become a global innovator in the biopharmaceutical sector. In this time of rapid growth and scientific progress, China is poised to assume greater leadership in one of the most important intersections of public health and innovation: the development of a vaccine to prevent HIV infection.
As an essential part of its mission, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) works with countries with emerging scientific capacity, such as China, to help strengthen their capabilities in biopharmaceutical innovation and help them to become more actively engaged in AIDS vaccine design and development. To that end, IAVI consulted with the Department of Medical Sciences, Technology and Education of China’s Ministry of Health to examine the policy environment for AIDS vaccine R&D in the country and identify policies that could bolster China’s efforts in that field of research. We commissioned McKinsey & Company to conduct this research, which involved literature reviews, interviews and focus groups with thought leaders from the Chinese government, private industry, academia and civil society.
Key obstacles to AIDS vaccine R&D in China identified by this study include:
Investment and incentives issues
Collaboration and coordination issues
Regulatory and intellectual property issues
Resultant key recommendations for accelerating AIDS vaccine R&D in China include:
Sustain and target government financing and incentivize private investment
Strengthen research networks and build links with efforts in other disease areas
Improve the regulatory and IP environment to decrease investment risk
To learn more about this study undertaken by IAVI, click on the following link: Opportunities for Accelerating AIDS Vaccine R&D in China