USAID Administrator issues statement on CAPRISA 004 trial for preventing HIV infection in women

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah released the following statement on today's historic CAPRISA 004 trial results:

USAID is proud to be the major funder of the first-ever proof of concept that a microbicide can effectively and safely reduce the transmission of HIV from men to vulnerable women.  An achievement of this magnitude could not have been possible without collaboration among governments, scientists, communities, and individual women at risk of HIV.

I congratulate the Principal Investigators and study staff at CAPRISA, the partners in South Africa, the CONRAD Program and Family Health International, and, most importantly, the 889 courageous women in Durban, South Africa who volunteered for this clinical trial.  

CAPRISA 004 provides solid evidence that the use of an antiretroviral-based microbicide gel (1% Tenofovir) can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection in women.  These results are an important first step toward establishing the effectiveness of using antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection.  After these results are confirmed in an ongoing and similar study supported by the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as other studies, we will work with partners at the global and country levels to integrate this product into programs.  As a leader in implementation science, USAID will collaborate with PEPFAR, multi-lateral agencies, and partner countries to ensure the full benefits of this advance reach vulnerable women and girls across the world, particularly those in low-resource settings.  

I am proud USAID is at the forefront of scientific innovation.  CAPRISA 004 is a model for future research studies in which clinical trials will be led by in-country investigators backed up by the scientific and operational expertise of their U.S. colleagues. This approach builds the research capacity of the developing world, contributes to sustainable health systems, and exemplifies how President Obama's Global Health Initiative intends to leverage technology and innovation to improve health around the world.