Microbicide News and Research

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A Microbicide is any substance or process that kills germs (bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause infection and disease). Also called germicide.

New ointment for treating brown recluse spider bites is tested on humans

The bite from a brown recluse spider (Loxosceles) can cause skin necrosis, renal failure, and even death. A new ointment is being tested in Brazil, however. Its effects have already been proven in tests conducted in cell cultures and animal models.

29 Nov 2018

Rice seeds could hold key to preventing HIV infections

As incredible as it sounds, a rice paddy field could one day yield an inexpensive way to prevent HIV.

20 Sep 2018

IPM begins first clinical trial of vaginal rings to prevent HIV in women

The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides announced today the start of the first clinical trial of vaginal rings designed to slowly release the antiretroviral drug dapivirine over three months to prevent HIV in women.

13 Dec 2017

Suppressed vaginal immune response makes women more susceptible to RNA viruses

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes discovered that the vaginal immune system is suppressed in response to RNA viruses, such as Zika.

16 Nov 2016

Women report experimental vaginal ring for HIV prevention did not negatively affect sexual experience

Most women who used an experimental vaginal ring for HIV prevention report that the physical act of sex was largely unaffected by using the product, which is inserted monthly for continuous wear.

18 Oct 2016

HOPE study seeks to understand safety of vaginal ring in protecting women against HIV

Women who took part in ASPIRE, a trial that found a vaginal ring containing an antiretroviral (ARV) drug called dapivirine was safe and helped protect against HIV, will soon be offered the opportunity to use the ring as part of a new study called HOPE.

19 Jul 2016

Dapivirine ring can help prevent HIV-1 infection in women

In an important scientific achievement for women's health, two large Phase III clinical trials -- The Ring Study and ASPIRE -- have shown that a monthly vaginal ring containing the antiretroviral drug (ARV) dapivirine can safely help prevent HIV-1 infection in women.

23 Feb 2016

Safe, effective douche-based rectal microbicide can prevent HIV in gay men

Enemas are commonly used by men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (TW) before sexual intercourse. But these groups are vulnerable to HIV and a host of other sexually transmitted infections because enemas -- even those that use tap water -- can seriously damage the thin tissue lining the rectum, allowing for easier transmission of harmful viruses and bacteria.

16 Oct 2015

CONRAD announces new funding agreement to increase HIV prevention products for high risk women in Africa

CONRAD is pleased to announce a new funding agreement, in collaboration with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the U.S. Agency for International Development, in support of a human centered design (HCD) strategy to increase demand, use and adherence of HIV prevention products for high risk women in Africa.

25 Aug 2015

Molecular tweezer blocks HIV, breaks up proteins in semen that boost infection

An unprecedented potential "molecular tweezer" called CLR01, reported in the journal eLife, not only blocks HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses, but also breaks up proteins in semen that boost infection.

18 Aug 2015

Researchers complete participants’ enrollment in Phase III trial of vaginal ring for HIV prevention

In a first for HIV prevention, an international team of researchers have completed follow-up of participants enrolled in a pivotal Phase III trial that tested the safety and effectiveness of a vaginal ring for preventing HIV in women.

30 Jun 2015

Cell-associated HIV transmission contributes to HIV epidemic

Dr. Deborah Anderson from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and her colleagues are challenging dogma about the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

22 Dec 2014

Population Council to present research on novel approaches to HIV prevention at HIV R4P 2014

The Population Council will present new research on novel approaches to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy prevention at the HIV Research for Prevention Conference, (HIV R4P) in Cape Town, South Africa. HIV R4P, which runs 28–31 October, is the first global scientific meeting dedicated exclusively to research on biomedical HIV prevention.

27 Oct 2014

Miriam Hospital receives grant from NIH to prevent spread of sexually transmitted HIV in women

The Miriam Hospital is part of a research collaboration that has received a $20 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop an intravaginal ring (IVR) that can deliver powerful antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted HIV in women.

9 Sep 2014

Semi-soft vaginal suppository provides drug-delivery vehicle to prevent spread of HIV

A unique method for delivering compounds that could positively impact the global battle against HIV and AIDS may be possible, thanks to researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

30 Aug 2014

Scientists produce drug compound with potential to block HIV transmission in women

Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering's Biological Process Development Facility have successfully produced a drug compound with potential to block HIV transmission in women.

4 Jul 2014

ASPIRE completes patient enrollment in Phase III trial of vaginal ring for HIV prevention

ASPIRE, one of two Phase III trials of a promising method for preventing HIV in women - a vaginal ring worn for a month at a time - has completed enrollment of participants, with 2,629 women from 15 clinical research sites in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe now taking part in the study.

27 Jun 2014

IPM gains exclusive worldwide rights to promising HIV prevention medicine from Janssen R&D Ireland

The International Partnership for Microbicides announced today that it has received exclusive worldwide rights to a promising HIV prevention medicine called dapivirine from Janssen R&D Ireland, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

8 May 2014

Janssen expands collaboration with IPM for development of dapivirine to prevent HIV

Janssen R&D Ireland Ltd. (Janssen) today announced that it has expanded its collaboration with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) for the development and delivery of dapivirine (TMC120) for the prevention of HIV.