Canada announces AIDS vaccine effort

OTTAWA, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The Canadian government and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates are committing $118 million to develop a vaccine to fight HIV/AIDS.

The government is committing up to $94 million (U.S.)to the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will provide up to $24 million (U.S.), officials said in a release.

"This collaborative effort between Canada's New Government and the Gates Foundation will contribute to the global effort to develop a safe, effective, affordable, and globally accessible HIV vaccine," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday.

Gates, who appeared with Harper, said, "The search for an HIV vaccine is one of the greatest scientific challenges of our time. Canada's important commitment will support advanced research, and help speed the development of an effective vaccine."