Numerous microbicidal products are under development for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Designed to be inserted into the vagina or rectum prior to sexual intercourse, such products offer the promise of a prevention method that a woman could initiate herself for protection against HIV infection. Microbicides are formulated as foams, gels, creams, impregnated sponges, suppositories, and films.
Public health experts have calculated that a microbicide that was even 60 percent effective against HIV could avert at least 2.5 million infections over three years. And because some women may wish to conceive a child while maintaining STI protection during sexual intercourse, both noncontraceptive and contraceptive microbicidal formulations are under development.
FHI 360 works with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States to assess the safety, acceptability, and effectiveness of potential microbicides in preventing HIV and other STIs. Since 1999, we have been involved in the development, coordination, and implementation of clinical research trials of microbicidal products in more than 10 countries.
FHI collaborated with the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and U.S.-based CONRAD to conduct the first clinical trial to show that a microbicide could significantly reduce a woman's risk of becoming infected with HIV. Our organization manages operations for the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), a collaborative worldwide research network established in 2006 to conduct clinical trials of microbicides. Previously FHI was responsible for the scientific management of the Microbicide Science Working Group of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), an international network of researchers dedicated to the development and evaluation of nonvaccine methods of HIV prevention from 1999 to 2006.
