Can cord blood transplants cure AIDS? Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial to treat HIV patients using gene therapy in conjunction with an autologous stem cell transplant. Thermogenesis has joined a consortium headed by Dr. Mary Laughlin applying for a Gates Foundation grant to use cord blood transplants to treat HIV (80% of AIDS patients lack a matched sibling). Note this approach is likely to be less expensive than lifelong use of the AIDS drug cocktail.