Inside AIDS 2026: (RED) Joins Partner MSD at the Biannual Conference in Rio

Every two years, the International AIDS Society Conference brings together thousands of scientists, advocates, policymakers, healthcare workers, philanthropists, and community leaders to shape the future of the global HIV response. This year, (RED) was proud to join the conversation at AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, alongside our longtime partner MSD (known as Merck in the United States and Canada). 

The conference also came at an exciting moment for MSD, which announced a new global access strategy for its investigational once-monthly oral HIV prevention pill, alimatravir (MK-8527), following regulatory approval. The strategy includes voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers covering 129 low- and middle-income countries, investments in regional manufacturing across Africa and Latin America, and early manufacturing efforts to help accelerate access. 

AIDS 2026 recognized that the global HIV response is at a pivotal moment. In 2025, shifts in global funding disrupted HIV programs around the world, putting decades of progress at risk. While scientific breakthroughs continue to transform what’s possible for HIV prevention and treatment, the biggest challenge is ensuring these innovations reach the people who need them most.

Throughout the week, leaders emphasized:

• * The need for global partnership, with governments, civil society, philanthropy, researchers, and the private sector all playing a critical role in turning scientific breakthroughs into lasting public health impact.

• * The power of community leadership, with speakers repeatedly highlighting that people living with HIV and community-led organizations must be at the center of designing, delivering, and evaluating HIV programs.

• * The promise of scientific innovation, as new prevention and treatment advances bring the world closer than ever to ending AIDS as a public health threat, provided they are paired with equitable access.

On Wednesday, (RED) hosted a cocktail reception, generously sponsored by our partner MSD, featuring remarks from Dr. Beatriz Grinsztejn, President of International AIDS Society, Paul Schaper, Associate Vice President, Global Public Policy at MSD, and Siviwe Gaika, an HIV prevention advocate with APHA. This evening brought together leaders from government, philanthropy, the private sector, and community-led organizations, including the Global Fund, the United Nations Population Fund, ViiV Healthcare, amFAR, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Gates Foundation, GLAAD, Robert Carr Fund, Friends of the Global Fight, and (RED) partner Roche.

The evening created space to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and reaffirm a shared commitment to accelerating the fight against HIV. Thank you, MSD, for sponsoring this powerful evening and for your long-standing support of (RED) and global health.

With MSD’s continued support, (RED) is able to expand the reach of our campaigns and partnerships to raise even more money in the fight against AIDS. MSD also invests in The Global Fund’s Community Engagement Strategic Initiative, helping to unlock the power of community leadership in health responses to improve health outcomes for everyone. 

Check out some photos from our reception with MSD: