United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon announced on October 9 that major pharmaceutical firms have pledged to boost funding for HIV research and diagnostic procedures for developing countries, Reuters reports.  

According to the article, the 17 participating companies, including Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, have also agreed to collectively increase their investments in prevention, such as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis.

Moon noted that despite gains in the fight against AIDS, the virus continues to spread and that only one third of those in low- and middle-income countries who need antiretroviral treatment are getting it.

“Each day, for every two people who are placed on antiretroviral treatment, five more are infected,” Moon said. “Collectively, we still have more work to do.”