Call for investments in HIV cure research

In a comment published on July 25, 2025 in the journal The Lancet HIV, an international team of leading researchers, community organizations and funding agencies underscores the urgent need for new investments in HIV cure research. Among them is Prof. Marcus Altfeld, Scientific Director at the Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV) and Coordinator of the HIV Unit at the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF).

In view of the 40.8 million people affected by HIV worldwide and the rising number of infections, the article calls for a coordinated global research agenda and concrete political and financial measures to translate the promising scientific progress into clinical applications. The comment recommends, among other things:

• Greater public funding for basic research,

• the establishment of an international HIV impact fund via public-private partnerships,

• greater involvement of research institutions from low- and middle-income countries and

• global coordination by international health organizations. 

"Curing HIV is an important goal and current scientific evidence shows encouraging progress. It is now important to provide the necessary resources to continue to develop clinical approaches worldwide. This is also a clear goal of the HIV research projects within the German Center for Infection Research”,emphasizes Prof. Marcus Altfeld.

An HIV cure would not only be a milestone for global health, but would also reduce healthcare costs in the long term and improve the quality of life of millions of people.

The imperative for increased investment for an HIV cure van Leeuwen, Remko et al. Lancet HIV. 2025 Jul 22:S2352-3018(25)00193-6. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3018(25)00193-6.