Product To Protect Women Against AIDS Could Come to Market in Five Years 2/12/2002
From: Carole Mahoney of ICRW, 202-797-0007 or Paula Darte of Perrin Darte & Associates, 703-704-5135 WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- A woman-focused method of prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections can be available by 2007, according to a series of reports by the Rockefeller Foundation-funded Initiative on Microbicides (my KRO bi sides). "We have the science and the road map, now we need the political will to fund this effort," said Geeta Rao Gupta, president of the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), one of several groups participating in the Initiative. The Initiative brought together experts in scientific research, product development, public health, economics and advocacy, to help bring to market this critical health technology that women worldwide are demanding as they cope with staggering levels of HIV/AIDS infection. The results are five fact-based studies that detail: -- A scientific plan for accelerating development; -- A pharmaco-economics study of the potential market size and the expected return on investment; -- An assessment of the public health impact; -- A framework to ensure access to the products; -- A plan of action for microbicide advocacy. "The development of a safe, effective microbicide would represent the most significant advance in women's reproductive health since the Pill. There are only a handful of problems in the world where lack of money is the true barrier to progress. This is one of them," said Lori Heise, director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides, also a participant. The groups released scientific and public health impact findings at a briefing on February 12, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Microbicides are substances that can kill, inactivate or block the HIV virus, and a range of viral and bacterial agents that cause other sexually transmitted infections. Microbicides would provide a unique advantage to a woman -- she can control their use. A woman can apply them vaginally or rectally to protect herself and her partner. Current techniques to prevent HIV exposure -- condom use, monogamy, reducing the number of partners, and treatment of other sexually transmitted diseases -- often are not feasible or available for women. Many women face cultural barriers that prevent them from requiring their partners to use condoms, as well as cultural and economic barriers to securing other types of protection and treatment. Meanwhile, nearly six out of every 10 new HIV infections occur in women. According to the findings, immediate development of microbicides can provide the best response to this reality. More than 100 organizations worldwide have joined forces in a global campaign for designed to build support for increased investment into women-controlled methods of HIV prevention. For the most part, microbicides have been developed by independent researchers and small bio-tech firms, as the initial return on investment is not attractive to larger medical device or pharmaceutical R&D companies. Eleven microbicide candidate products have shown sufficient promise to be approved for human testing in clinical trials. (Dozens more await further laboratory testing.) Three are slated to begin Phase 3 clinical trials in 2002. Phase 3 trials involve large scale studies in the field with volunteers to test for product safety and effectiveness. Depending on trial outcomes and adequate funding, it is likely that one or more of these products could come to market by 2007. "Microbicide development has made great progress against great odds and is ready to take a major leap forward," said Polly Harrison, director of the Alliance for Microbicide Development. "Now what we need is the kind of steady, well-directed investment that can make the most of that opportunity." "Microbicides will offer a batter chance of survival for women, especially poor women in developing countries, who are disproportionately at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS," said Dr. George Brown, associate director of the Rockefeller Foundation's Health Equity Program. "Yet the very future of these women-and the children they may bear-depends on our political will, and our urgent and wise investment today." Available for interview: Geeta Rao Gupta, President, ICRW Lori Heise, Director, Global Campaign for Microbicides Polly Harrison, Director, The Alliance for Microbicide Development George Brown, Associate Director, Reproductive Health Technology, The Rockefeller Foundation Other expert members of the Rockefeller Foundation Microbicide Initiative For summary information on the research findings go to: http://www.rockfound.org or http://www.icrw.org. For background information on each of the groups engaged in this initiative: The Rockefeller Foundation: http://www.rockfound.org International Center for Research on Women: http://www.icrw.org Global Campaign for Microbicides: http://www.global-campaign.org Alliance for Microbicide Development: http://www.microbicide.org |