Forty years after the discovery of HIV as the causal agent of AIDS there is still no vaccine. Yet the COVID19 vaccine was designed and developed in less than 3 months. This scientific success has been largely recognized as a direct product of 25+ years investment in HIV research. Indeed, while the enormous antigenic diversity of HIV remains a major challenge, technological innovations in antibody discovery and development platforms allowed the discovery of a new generation of potent and broad neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) which are not only being evaluated as prevention products but also used as template for vaccine design. The first approaches led to re-evaluation of partnership models to make antibody-based treatment more affordable and accessible. The second led to the development of novel vaccine concepts which successful evaluation in proof-of-concept Experimental Medicine Trials renewed hope that an HIV vaccine is achievable. Together with the establishment of global scientific and clinical capacities, these advances offer new opportunities way beyond HIV to address other Global Health challenges.