The Quatro Study will inform ongoing product development efforts by gathering end-user input on four vaginal delivery systems for HIV and multipurpose prevention. The study, recruiting 200 healthy women ages 18-30 in South Africa and Zimbabwe, assesses user experiences of placebos with no active ingredients.
Project EMOTION aims to develop user-centered strategies for creating market demand for microbicides and PrEP products among high-risk women. The project will work with local partners to identify drivers and barriers to product use, and design new product attributes, packaging, and messaging.
CONRAD has been awarded the USAID Science and Technology Pioneers Prize for its work on the first vaginal gel proven to reduce HIV and HSV-2 infections. The gel, containing tenofovir, was tested on 889 women in South Africa and showed successful results.
CONRAD and Eastern Virginia Medical School will receive $80 million in funding to develop new HIV prevention products, including microbicides and objective measures of adherence. The project aims to address the high risk of HIV infection among young women in South Africa.
CONRAD has developed a new intravaginal ring that combines contraception with HIV-1 and HSV-2 prevention, using levonorgestrel and tenofovir. The ring can remain in the vagina for up to 90 days and shows promising results in preventing infections.
The SILCS Diaphragm has been granted regulatory approval and will be launched in six European countries. It is a single-size device that fits most women and does not require a pelvic exam to determine size, making it easier to access and use.
The VOICE study found that daily dosing of tenofovir gel was not effective in reducing HIV acquisition due to low adherence rates. In contrast, coital dosing, where women use the product around the time of sex, showed a significant reduction in HIV infections and herpes genital infections.
A new 90-day intravaginal ring delivers steady doses of antiretroviral drug tenofovir to prevent HIV transmission in women, promising improved adherence and cost-effectiveness.
CONRAD will develop and test the safety and effectiveness of a combined contraceptive barrier and HIV-prevention product, supported by a $2 million USAID award. The study aims to provide women with non-hormonal, easy-to-use methods for preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
The SILCS Diaphragm, a single-size contoured diaphragm, has shown effectiveness rates similar to traditional diaphragms, and is easy to use and comfortable to wear. This new contraceptive method offers women more control over their reproductive health, particularly in low-resource settings.
The CAPRISA 004 study demonstrated the effectiveness of tenofovir 1% gel in reducing HIV and herpes infection risk in women. The study showed a 39% reduction in HIV infections and 51% reduction in genital herpes infections compared to placebo.
The Global iPrEx study found that daily use of the oral antiretroviral combination pill was 44% effective in reducing risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men. Risk of HIV infection fell by 50.2% among participants who took the pill at least 50% of the days.
CONRAD will receive funding to develop vaginal rings that provide both contraceptive and HIV prevention, addressing unintended pregnancies and HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. The grant aims to improve reproductive health choices for women and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
A study of microbicide gel shows reduced risk of HIV and herpes infections in women, with a 39% effective reduction in HIV risk and 51% effective prevention against genital herpes. The gel contains 1% tenofovir and has the potential to prevent over half a million new HIV infections in South Africa alone.
Dr. Henry Gabelnick was awarded the lifetime achievement award at the 6th International Microbicides Conference for his dedication to developing microbicides. He has contributed significantly to the field through research on preclinical algorithms and primate models.
CONRAD has received a $28.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop microbicides for HIV prevention, supporting combination microbicide research and testing of novel candidates.
A Phase III trial of cellulose sulfate, a topical microbicide gel, has been halted due to preliminary results indicating an increased risk of HIV infection in women. The Independent Data Monitoring Committee will conduct a review of the data to better understand the findings and determine implications for future research.
Dr. Henry Gabelnick, a renowned expert in reproductive health and microbicide development, has been awarded the lifetime achievement award by International Conference on AIDS India. The award recognizes his significant contributions to the field, including the development of Ushercell, a microbicide consisting of cellulose sulfate.
CONRAD will conduct two Phase III clinical trials in India and four African countries to test a vaginal microbicide candidate, Ushercell, developed by CONRAD in collaboration with Polydex Pharmaceuticals. The goal is to determine its effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.