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NAT Welcomes Breakthrough in Microbicide Development

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Announcement of the CAPRISA trial results marks a major breakthrough HIV prevention

Results of the CAPRISA 004 trial announced yesterday at the International AIDS Conference, showed a vaginal microbicidal gel containing the antiretroviral drug tenofovir (Viread) reduced the risk of HIV infection among women who received it by 39 per cent during a two-and-a-half-year study in South Africa.

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), comments;

“Yesterday’s announcement of the CAPRISA trial results marked a major breakthrough in the field of HIV prevention.  For the first time a topical gel which can be applied vaginally before and after sex was shown to be effective in preventing HIV. 

This microbicide gel contained antiretroviral drugs, which are normally used to treat HIV.  These results are cause for double celebration because they have demonstrated that a gel can be used as a prevention method, and that antiretrovirals can be effective in preventing as well as treating HIV.

A priority now is to move to the next stage of research so that this initial good news can be translated into a reality for the millions of women round the world who desperately need a way to protect themselves from HIV.”
 

Notes to the editor:

For many years NAT has been the leading UK voice on the need to invest in the development of new HIV prevention technologies.
 
Recent WHO statistics show that HIV is the leading cause of death amongst women of child-bearing age in sub-Saharan Africa.
 
To find out more about microbicides visit the International Partnership for Microbicides' website.   
 
For further information please contact:
Katherine Sladden
Communications Manager
NAT
020 7814 6733
press@nat.org.uk
 
NAT
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