VANCOUVER, British Columbia — December 2, 2025 — Leads & Copy — British Columbia is funding a new project that uses genomic and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to understand changing HIV transmission patterns.
The initiative, announced on World AIDS Day, will help public health teams identify the source of new infections and determine effective prevention strategies, bringing B.C. closer to eliminating HIV transmission.
While B.C. reports over 100 new HIV diagnoses yearly, the proportion from local transmission has decreased. Many new cases aren’t linked to local clusters, suggesting inter-provincial and international transmission, which requires new tools for understanding and prevention.
The project is funded through Genome British Columbia’s (Genome BC) Genesolve program, building on prior work co-funded by Genome Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Led by Dr. Jeffrey Joy from the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and the University of British Columbia, the team will combine viral genomics, phylogenetics, AI, and machine learning to map HIV transmission and pinpoint affected populations.
Dr. Joy said the project will develop analytic and genomic tools to strengthen HIV public health responses in B.C. and Canada. He added that the investment is critical given declining global HIV prevention resources and will support equitable care by identifying vulnerable communities earlier and connecting them to treatment.
Reducing new HIV transmissions aligns with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS targets for 2030, leading to better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and lower healthcare costs in B.C. and Canada.
Dr. Julio Montaner noted that B.C.’s success in HIV control comes from its dedication to treatment as prevention and innovative tools such as phylogenetic monitoring. The new project will enhance the understanding of emerging transmission patterns and refine prevention strategies to exceed UN targets.
Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Research and Innovation at Genome BC, said the investment will support the next phase of HIV prevention. She added that creating tools to better understand changing transmission patterns will help B.C. continue to use evidence-based approaches to reduce new infections.
The tools developed will integrate into ongoing HIV surveillance and public health across B.C. and Canada, helping to achieve the broader goal of ending new HIV transmissions in British Columbia.
Genome BC’s Genesolve program promotes translational research, bridging discovery and application in British Columbia’s life sciences sector. By connecting researchers, healthcare providers, and industry partners, Genesolve accelerates genomic innovations.
Genome BC has advanced genomics research and innovation for 25 years, attracting over $1.1 billion in direct co-investment to the province and funding more than 600 genomics research projects. These initiatives enhance healthcare and address environmental and natural resource challenges.
Brad Lyle, Communications Manager, Genome BC blyle@genomebc.ca 778.999.8195
Source: Genome British Columbia
Source: Genome British Columbia
