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.

AVAC Report surveys state of biomedical HIV prevention research

A new report from AVAC surveys the state of biomedical HIV prevention research, including the first evidence of vaccine-induced protection in humans and the emergence of ARV-based prevention -- and provides strategic recommendations for moving forward in a time of constrained resources and faltering commitment to ending AIDS.

15 Jul 2010

Starpharma gets FDA nod to start phase 2 bacterial vaginosis study for VivaGel

Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL, OTCQX:SPHRY) today announced it had received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to commence a phase 2 study to investigate VivaGel® for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV).

15 Jul 2010

IAS announces recipients of CNIHR grants

The International AIDS Society today announced the recipients of its first joint research grant programme, Creative and Novel Ideas in HIV Research. CNIHR grants, funded in partnership with the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the NIH-supported Centers for AIDS Research are designed to promote innovative research and new ideas from early stage investigators whose primary focus has previously been in fields of scientific inquiry other than HIV/ AIDS.

14 Jul 2010

Washington Post examines trial in Africa of long-acting vaginal ring for HIV prevention

"The first test of a long-acting vaginal ring loaded with an HIV-preventing drug has begun enrolling women in southern Africa," the Washington Post reports. The study, according to the newspaper, marks the 15th trial led by the nonprofit group, International Partnership for Microbicides, which "has helped lead the search for a discreet, woman-controlled means of protection" against the virus.

16 Jun 2010

First clinical trial among African women to test vaginal ring that prevents HIV transmission

The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides today announced the initiation of the first trial among women in Africa testing a vaginal ring containing an antiretroviral drug that could one day be used to prevent HIV transmission during sex. The clinical trial, known as IPM 015, tests the safety and acceptability of an innovative approach that adapts a successful technology from the reproductive health field to give women around the world a tool to protect themselves from HIV infection.

9 Jun 2010

Research to understand potential role of sexual lubricants in HIV transmission

Today at the 2010 International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh, Dezzutti presented the results of tests conducted with five of the most widely used lubricants, chosen from the results of an IRMA web-based survey that collected information on the lubricant preferences of nearly 9,000 men and women from over 100 countries. Dezzutti's findings indicated that some of the products studied had toxic effects on cells and rectal tissue.

29 May 2010

Use of lubricants with anal sex associated with increased risk of rectal sexually transmitted infections

The risk of acquiring HIV through unprotected anal sex is at least 20 times greater than with unprotected vaginal sex and increases if other infections are already present in the rectal lining. Could the use of lubricants - at least certain kinds - be another risk factor among men and women who engage in receptive anal intercourse? Two studies presented today at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh, suggest the answer is yes.

27 May 2010

KPBS examines microbicide research as M2010 concludes

KPBS reports on researchers' efforts to develop novel methods to protect women from HIV infection that have been examined at the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh this week. In sub-Saharan Africa, one of the region's hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, "six out of ten adults living with the virus are women," KPBS writes.

27 May 2010

Researchers present more findings for microbicides, prep at M2010 conference

Researchers on Monday at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh continued to present data on HIV prevention research, Reuters reports. The news service outlines several prevention methods being researched, including an intravaginal ring that over time releases two antiretrovirals - dapivirine and maraviroc - for up to a month, and a vaginal tablet that time-releases the antiretrovirals dapivirine and DS003 for up to 12 hours.

26 May 2010

Media outlets highlight studies presented at International Microbicides Conference

A study in Africa, presented Sunday at the International Microbicides Conference (M2010) in Pittsburgh, has shown that a man's risk of HIV infection doubles if his HIV-positive partner is pregnant, according to HealthDay News/U.S. News & World Report.

25 May 2010

New study indicates pregnancy can double HIV risk in men

Young women of reproductive-age are among those at greatest risk of acquiring HIV, and several studies have suggested that during pregnancy women are even more susceptible to infection.

24 May 2010

Research on new types of anti-HIV drugs presented at International Microbicides Conference

Researchers testing a vaginal microbicide based on a new type of anti-HIV drug found it provided monkeys significant protection against infection with a virus similar to HIV, according to a study reported at the International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh today.

24 May 2010

New IRMA report outlines the growing field of rectal microbicide R&D

International Rectal Microbicide Advocates will officially release its third landmark report -- "From Promise to Product: Advancing Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" -- at the 2010 International Microbicides Conference in Pittsburgh, PA taking place May 22-25, 2010.

20 May 2010

Thai AIDS vaccine trial: Risk of HIV infection can be reduced with a vaccine

For more than a decade, researchers and advocates have marked HIV Vaccine Awareness Day with varying degrees of hope, cynicism and despair. This year, in large part because of the results of the Thai Prime-Boost vaccine study, there is greater cause for hope than ever before and a renewed sense of urgency to transform this hope into a reality.

18 May 2010

International initiative seeks to reduce heterosexual HIV transmission

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute has received a $350,000 grant to study the safety of a gel designed to reduce the heterosexual transmission of HIV from the International Partnership for Microbicides, a nonprofit global initiative to develop products to reduce HIV transmission, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Institute announced today.

28 Apr 2010

M2010 to encompass broader spectrum of HIV prevention research

HIV prevention researchers, policy makers and community advocates from more than 35 countries will be in Pittsburgh, May 22-25 to attend the 2010 International Microbicides Conference.

15 Apr 2010

Banana lectin discovery may lead to potential new treatments for preventing sexual transmission of HIV

A potent new inhibitor of HIV, derived from bananas, may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, according to a University of Michigan Medical School study published this week.

16 Mar 2010

News outlets examine use of ART, microbicide development presented at conference

News outlets continue to report on the science discussed at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), which ended Friday in San Francisco.

23 Feb 2010

Starpharma Holdings, Eli Lilly sign new collaborative drug research and development agreement

Starpharma Holdings Limited today announced the signing of a new agreement with Eli Lilly and Company under which Starpharma's dendrimer drug delivery technology will be applied to enhance compounds in Lilly's human pharmaceutical portfolio.

2 Feb 2010

Particle Sciences to share responsibilities in developing anti-HIV microbicides

Particle Sciences, a leading drug development CRO, will share formulation, analytic and production responsibilities in an effort to develop a vaginally administered microbicide, a product specifically designed to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.

28 Jan 2010