Continuity Biosciences Won Gates Foundation Grant
The $9.6 million award will fund the development of a long-acting, subcutaneous HIV prevention implant.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Biotech
Live Poll
Should medical research funding prioritize long-acting implants over traditional daily medication methods?
Continuity Biosciences has received a grant of up to $9.6 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a subcutaneous implant for HIV prevention. This technology is designed to deliver medicine continuously for multiple years, removing the need for daily pills or regular injections.
Why it matters
By providing a long-term, low-maintenance alternative to current regimens, the implant aims to address barriers to consistent treatment and reduce new infections. The developer has pledged to ensure the technology remains affordable in low- and middle-income countries.
The implant utilizes nanofluidic technology with engineered channels to regulate steady drug release. The funding covers IND-enabling studies, the formal IND application, and a Phase 1 human trial.
The players
Continuity Biosciences
A biotechnology company with corporate offices in Bradenton, Florida, and Seattle, Washington.
Gates Foundation
A major philanthropic organization that funds global health initiatives to improve healthcare equity.
The details
The grant supports the critical pathway of moving this technology toward human testing, which requires rigorous safety and efficacy verification. Continuity Biosciences intends to provide global access to this prevention method, which is engineered to maintain therapeutic levels of medicine for years at a time.
Timeline
1.2 million new HIV infections were reported globally in 2025.
Continuity Biosciences announced the grant award on October 14, 2026.
The Tech Race
This development represents a major shift toward long-acting, autonomous drug delivery that challenges the necessity of daily medication regimens. It positions the technology against traditional daily oral pills that have historically defined HIV prevention strategies.
Future users could eventually shift away from the burden of daily pill adherence, potentially increasing the efficacy of HIV prevention programs. This technology aims to simplify the preventative process for individuals in low- and middle-income regions where daily treatment access is a hurdle.
The takeaway
Advancements in nanofluidic technology are rapidly moving medicine toward long-term, low-maintenance delivery systems. This grant highlights how strategic funding can bridge the gap from laboratory concepts to potential real-world clinical solutions.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of innovative medical treatments, see our coverage in Biotech.
More information
For more details on the company's work, visit Continuity Biosciences company information.
Live Poll
Should medical research funding prioritize long-acting implants over traditional daily medication methods?
