BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and 3 other Japanese companies donated a total of almost $6 million to fund clinical trials for about 140 people in South Africa.

The drug, called VIR201 is in a new class of drugs called immuno-therapeutics.  Unlike traditional Anti-HIV drugs, it is non-toxic and it encourages the immune system to kill HIV-infected cells.

Because the trial takes place in South Africa, people suffering from AIDS in the area will have quicker access to this new drug.  However, Virax will still have to prove that their new drug is as effective as they say it is.  They also still need approval from the proper authorities in South Africa, and that may not happen until next year.

The donation that funded the trials is an innovative way to raise funds for a trial.  The companies who donated said that they wanted to donate and do something to support AIDS research but didn’t want to directly invest in Virax.  

The companies have a large part of their workforce in South Africa and many of them are infected with HIV.  Virax CEO David Beames says that while the donation isn’t something that has been done before, he hopes that it catches on and more companies donate.  It could help to fund future trials for drugs to treat diseases that affect the developing world.

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