There are many research strategies underway to try to reduce the devastating effects of this disease and to prevent onward transmission, and it is likely that a range of these used simultaneously will be required to bring the epidemic under control. These include the development of a vaccine, microbicide, antiviral treatment and agents used in prevention. Amongst these, a HIV neutralising antibody that is safe when infused intravenously could play an important role either in post exposure, or when HIV is driving an aggressive disease and there is a need to lower the viral load abruptly or when mothers present in labour with high viral loads.