Gates earmarks $100M for microbicide R&D

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has put up $100 million to further advance promising microbicidal gels that can significantly reduce the spread of HIV. The money was committed after the Maryland-based International Partnership for Microbicides, or IPM, reported positive results for a clinical trial involving a new gel.

There is no effective microbicide in use, but the IPM is convinced that a new product could save millions of lives. A gel would be particularly effective in developing countries where men are often reluctant to use a condom. And in January researchers for the NIH announced that the gel PRO2000 was 30 percent more effective than other products in preventing the spread of the virus in a mid-stage trial.

"IPM will bring pioneering HIV prevention technologies into 10 new clinical studies this year," said the IPM in a statement, including long-acting vaginal gels and vaginal rings that could provide sustained protection for up to a month."

- check out the report from the AFP

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