Gilead Sciences has announced it will provide up to $5 million in grant funding to help address the monkeypox virus (MPV) outbreak.

Gilead joined GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and NMAC to take action in response to the outbreak, which is disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly men who have sex with men, as well as those who are living with HIV. The funding is focused on a public education and vaccine hesitancy communications campaign, a public policy response, and a global outbreak emergency fund.

Gilead’s Global Monkeypox Outbreak Emergency Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to existing grantee organizations working in regions with active MPV outbreaks to respond to the growing emergency. Funds may be used to cover expenses such as community mobilization activities specifically addressing MPV outbreaks in communities disproportionately impacted by HIV, operating costs related to HIV testing and service interruptions, and essential safety materials. In addition, GLAAD, HRC, NBJC, and NCLR will help ensure that critical information about MPV reaches impacted communities. 

“Throughout our history, Gilead has worked to address critical public health challenges and healthcare disparities, particularly those faced by the LGBTQ+ community or impacted by the HIV epidemic,” said Deborah Telman, Gilead Sciences executive vice president of corporate affairs and general counsel. “Today we are proud to work with our longtime collaborators around the world to help meet the immediate needs of impacted communities and to help identify longer term solutions to this emerging crisis. At Gilead, we are also accelerating and expanding our early-stage antiviral drug screening program to identify new molecules for potential future treatment of MPV infection.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Marina Demidiuk)