Microbicides, researchers and advocates

Below are series of exchanges on MSM-Asia mailing list about microbicides, trigger post was a note forwarded 2010-07-19 by Clifton Cortez that announced successful trials of a vaginal microbicide CAPRISA 004.

REPLY-NOTE FROM JIM PICKETT

Thanks Clifton.

For people who would like to stay update on rectal microbicide research and development - I'd humbly suggest you join IRMA - International Rectal Microbicide Advocates - of which I am chair. 

We are the only advocacy group in the world with this focus, and we have nearly 1000 members on 6 continents - a wide array of advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders. Joining means signing up for our listserv - so if interested, send me an email and we will sign you up. 

Meanwhile, you may be interested in our new report - From Promise to Product - Advancing Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy. It provides an overview of current scientific activities, advocacy activities, etc. You can find it on our website - www.rectalmicrobicides.org.

Thanks!

Jim

REPLY-NOTE FROM CLIFTON CORTEZ

Folks may have heard about the USAID-funded research that has led to a potential breakthrough in vaginal microbicides as an HIV prevention tool. This link sent by Billy Pick in USAID/Washington has all the latest and greatest to keep us updated on the state of anal microbicide research.

Best,

Clif Cortez

http://irma-rectalmicrobicides.blogspot.com/2010/05/whirlwind-of-anal-lubricants-lets-get.html

ORIGINAL FORWARDED MESSAGE FROM USAID

Microbicide Gel Shows Reduced Risk of HIV Infection in Women

Today, I am proud to announce that USAID has supported the first successful trial to prove that a microbicide can effectively and safely reduce the risk of transmission of HIV from men to women.

The CAPRISA 004 trial provides solid evidence that the use of an antiretroviral-based microbicide gel, 1% Tenofovir, can significantly reduce the risk of HIV infection. Finding a woman-controlled method of prevention is critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Worldwide in 2008, some 6,200 adults were newly infected with HIV every day, and 48 percent of those infections occurred in women.

This finding would not have been possible without the collaboration of governments, scientists, communities, and 889 courageous women in Durban, South Africa, who volunteered for this trial. This group effort was a model of how USAID works with host nations and partner organizations.

These results are the first step toward establishing the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs for HIV prevention. Ongoing and similar studies supported by the National Institutes for Health, and other organizations, will confirm these results. USAID will continue to work with PEPFAR, multilateral agencies, and partner countries to ensure the full impact of this advance can be offered to women and girls worldwide and especially in low-resource settings. 

The CAPRISA 004 collaborative approach, led by in-country investigators, is a model for future research studies.  It builds research capacity, 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.

I am proud that USAID is at the forefront of innovation in science, and I congratulate the staff from the Bureau for Global Health for their work on this important effort. With the support of President Obama and Secretary Clinton, we will continue to put science, technology, and innovation at the forefront of our development work.

Please see USAID’s Global Health Bureau’s factsheet on microbicides, to learn more about our work in microbicide research and the CAPRISA 004 trial.

Rajiv Shah

Point of Contact: Any questions concerning this Notice may be directed to GH/PRH Jeff Spieler, (202) 712-1402.