The Road to the Discovery of HIV
Resolution
In 1987, U.S. President Reagan and French Prime Minister Chirac agreed to split the patent rights, royalties, and credit for the discovery of HIV. However, the two year legal battle impeded more groundbreaking research that could have been produced if the teams had thoroughly communicated, shared ideas, and collaborated.
"We in the United States and France have very, very good and efficient scientists, and they will now work together and also create a foundation to fight against AIDS. And it's, I think, a great step to be successful in this very important battle. And I'm very glad about it, and I thank very much the Department of Health of the United States and L'Institut Pasteur de Paris for all that they have done."
~French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac
1987, Reagan Library
1987, New York Times
1987, New York Times
"[The settlement was] like a piece of lead off my shoulder.''
~Robert Gallo
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