European Commission Commits €4.2 Million to Microbicide Development

Grant will build clinical research capacity, speed access to HIV prevention for women

Brussels (29 January 2007) –The search for a safe and effective microbicide to prevent HIV transmission in women advanced considerably today with the announcement of a €4.2 million grant by the European Commission to the International Partnership for Microbicides Belgium (IPM Belgium). The grant expands upon the European Commission’s existing support of microbicides with a strong focus on engaging communities in clinical trials.

“The European Commission has been outstanding in its leadership and support of microbicide research,” said Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IPM. “This grant from the European Commission will significantly expand our ability to develop clinical trial sites and build local capacity to conduct clinical trials, working closely with local communities and regulatory agencies in developing countries.”

Microbicides are vaginal products being developed to reduce the transmission of HIV during sexual intercourse. A microbicide could take the form of a gel, cream, film, tablet or sponge, or be contained in a vaginal ring that releases the active ingredient gradually.

“Women in developing countries require an increased array of HIV-prevention options they can initiate,” said Dr. Lieve Fransen, Head of Human and Social Development for the European Commission’s Directorate General of Development. “We believe IPM is well positioned to accelerate the development of microbicides for women by working collaboratively with communities, researchers and government regulatory agencies in the developing world.”

In sub-Saharan Africa, 74 percent of young adults (aged 15-24 years) living with HIV are female. According to a report released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in November 2006, more adult women (15 years or older) than ever before are now living with HIV globally. The 17.7 million women living with HIV in 2006 represent an increase of over one million compared with 2004.

The €4.2 million grant will be provided over a three-year period from 2007-2009 and will fund the development of up to eight clinical trial sites in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe. As part of the project, the Belgium-based Institute of Tropical Medicine will provide clinical laboratory training for the development of sites in Africa. IPM will provide additional funds, thus bringing the total project cost to €5.25 million. In addition to clinical capacity development, the grant will seek to build community participation in clinical trials and work with national regulatory agencies to help lay the groundwork for future access to safe and effective microbicides.

About IPM
IPM was established in 2002 to accelerate the development and accessibility of microbicides to prevent the transmission of HIV in women. By screening compounds, designing optimal formulations, establishing manufacturing capacity, developing trial sites and conducting clinical trials, the organization works to improve the efficiency of all efforts to develop and deliver safe and effective microbicides as soon as possible. IPM Belgium was established in Brussels in 2004.

In addition to the European Commission, IPM also receives funding from the governments of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank.

Contact:
Céline Mias (Brussels): +1 32-(0)-2-507-1224, cmias@ipmglobal.org

For more information, visit www.IPMglobal.org.

This project is funded by the European Union.