Until There's A Cure Foundation
is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness about HIV/AIDS
through the sale of The Bracelet. All proceeds fund prevention education,
care services and vaccine development.

UTAC Grantee Named to Time’s Top 100 List

Who would you choose for the 100 most influential people in the world? Time Magazine cast a vote for Dr. Seth Berkley, President and CEO of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), in its May 11, 2009 cover story. He leads the largest public-private partnership focused on developing a globally accessible HIV/AIDS vaccine. Until There’s a Cure® Foundation (UTAC) proudly supported this rising star with seed capital in 1996 and has stood behind him ever since.

Seth’s passion for AIDS is the outgrowth of a gifted intellect fueled by boundless compassion for the world’s suffering. AIDS afflicts 33 million and adds 7,500 to its ranks daily, primarily from developing countries. It saps the energies, spirits, and financial resources of its victims and their families. It claims 5,500 lives every day and leaves millions of defenseless children without one or both parents. It is a human crisis of unparalleled dimension. While billions may be spent on care and treatment, "there is no end game for AIDS without a vaccine," notes Dr. Geoffrey Lamb of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Seth realized early on that solutions to the AIDS pandemic far exceeded the capacity of any one institution. He fostered collaboration among academicians, researchers, clinicians and other health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, and a host of other interested parties. In the last six years, IAVI and its network of partners have translated innovative technologies into six vaccine candidates that have entered human trials in 11 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. IAVI has also brought leading international HIV researchers together to form two scientific consortia, the Neutralizing Antibody Consortium (NAC) and the Live Attenuated Consortium (LAC), to address major obstacles in AIDS vaccine development.

In partnership with diverse stakeholders, IAVI elevates AIDS awareness among political, community, financial, and scientific leaders. To that end, IAVI is active in the G8 process, the UN General Assembly meetings on AIDS, the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and regional and global AIDS conferences. IAVI also supports the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) trilateral agreement to spur cooperation in vaccine development among countries with growing biomedical research and manufacturing capabilities.

Global reach and international acclaim are remarkable accomplishments for a 13-year old organization. Yet Seth is quick to share the limelight with his UTAC friends: "I wouldn't be where I am today – nor would IAVI – without UTAC. You gave the first grant to start this global effort! We will succeed and then you will be able to retire the 'Until'."

On that day, we’ll raise our bracelets and glasses to all of the dedicated workers at IAVI and shout from the rooftops: "There’s a cure!"

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IAVI is a global not-for-profit, public-private partnership working to accelerate the development of a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. For more information, visit www.iavi.org or watch this short video.

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