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New microbicide research partnership
UK Medical Research Council 19/3/02, reprinted from GENDER-AIDS. e-mail: [email protected]
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The Department for International Development (DFID) is sponsoring a 16-million (Pounds Sterling), five year international collaboration of institutions in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia and the UK to develop microbicides - drugs which offer potential protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The research will be facilitated in the UK by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinical Trials Unit and Imperial College, Faculty of Medicine.
If microbicides (which could be formulated as a gel, foam sponge or a pessary) are used consistently prior to sexual intercourse, they may offer protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. A successful microbicide could be an invaluable addition to HIV prevention programmes, especially in countries where women find it difficult to negotiate condom use by their partners. The multi-disciplinary programme will include: laboratory evaluation of safety and activity of candidate agents; small scale safety studies in healthy female volunteers; and preparation for and conduct of a large-scale effectiveness trial.
In parallel with the DfID programme, the US-based Rockefeller Foundation is providing strong advocacy for accelerating and co-ordinating microbicide development, for greater financial support from public and private sectors and for ensuring that products meet critical standards of safety, effectiveness and accessibility for women in most need.
Since AIDS was recognised as a disease in the early 1980s, and the causal agent HIV was identified, it has become the leading cause of death in Africa and the fourth most common cause of death in the world. It is estimated that 40 million people are living with HIV, 14,000 people are infected daily, and 8,000 people die of AIDS every day. In Africa, two million more women than men are infected with HIV. There is an overwhelming need for new ways to tackle the HIV pandemic, especially those that empower women to protect themselves from infection.
Research has shown that women and their partners in both the developed and the developing world want this type of product for HIV prevention - it offers more choice and control, especially in situations where men do not, or will not, use condoms. Microbicides also need to be affordable for women in poor countries.
Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development said: "We need to increase the range of products available that would give women the ability to protect themselves from HIV in ways that they can control. An effective microbicide, which must be affordable in poor countries, would be immensely useful."
In 1993, the MRC established a scientific committee which endorsed a general strategy for actively promoting research to develop and test
chemical agents for intravaginal use for the prevention of HIV. The MRC and DfID have both supported research on development of microbicides from
laboratory evaluation through to clinical trials. The MRC have independently reviewed the entire research proposal and are co-ordinating the management of this research programme.
Professor Helen Rees, who heads a large research unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg said: "This programme is a very exciting world partnership which facilitates exchange and collaboration between British scientists and clinicians with their colleagues in Africa, all of whom are committed to finding new and appropriate technologies to combat the AIDS epidemic."
Professor Janet Darbyshire, Director of the MRC Clinical Trials Unit said: "We're delighted to be able to work with our colleagues to co-ordinate this very important programme of research into microbicides, which we hope will help women throughout the world, but particularly in Africa, to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS."
Professor Jonathan Weber, Dean, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College said: "This programme represents the culmination of 10 years of basic research at Imperial College, supported by the MRC and the EU. This demonstrates how long term research in universities can lead to enormous clinical benefit".
Professor Gordon Conway, President of the Rockefeller Foundation said: "Microbicides will offer a better chance of survival for poor women who are disproportionately at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Their future and the future of their children may depend on our political will coupled with urgent and wise investments." |
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