Grant: CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Impact

"The BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE)’s renowned Research Facility whose groundbreaking research has tremendous effects on reducing transmission of HIV and AIDS throughout BC, Canada and the world. From pioneering adjunctive corticosteroid treatment for Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), to discovery of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and introduction of the innovative concept of Treatment as Prevention®. These three pioneering events dramatically changed the lives of HIV positive individuals and non-HIV positive individuals throughout BC, Canada, and the world. Through public education and identification of peer reviewed research outcomes, the BC-CfE has secured provincial government financial support for the procurement and distribution of HIV antiretroviral medications, increased HIV testing and outreach and engagement into sustained care for all HIV positive individuals in BC who engage in treatment. The BC-CfE’s team breakthrough work demonstrates the success evidence-based research plays in changing a deadly epidemic into a chronic manageable disease in Canada. The research of BC-CfE has played the most significant role in prolonging the lives of HIV positive individuals. A newly diagnosed 20-year-old HIV positive individual who engages in sustained therapy and care no longer faces a relatively imminent death sentence related to AIDS, rather this individual can expect to live approximately 5.5 additional decades. As a testament, the federal government endorsed UNAIDS 90-90-90 target of which BC-CfE was the architect and Minister of Health, Hon. Jane Philpott was quoted “Canada has provided global leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including the ground-breaking work of Dr. Julio Montaner and the BC-CfE.”"