The Ring Study
The Ring Study, a clinical trial now underway by the International Partnership for Microbicides, is designed to determine whether a monthly vaginal ring that delivers the ARV drug dapivirine helps prevent HIV infection in women and is safe for long-term use.
The first efficacy study of a vaginal ring for HIV prevention, The Ring Study is expected to enroll 1,650 women ages 18-45 across four sites in South Africa over the coming months.
The dapivirine ring licensure program
The Ring Study is part of IPM’s broader dapivirine ring licensure program being conducted in partnership with the US NIH-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN).
The full licensure program also includes ASPIRE, a "sister" efficacy and safety study of the dapivirine ring being led by MTN and expected to enroll across sites in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, pending approvals. Together, the two studies will involve thousands of women volunteers across Africa and last about three years (2012-2015).
Should the studies show the ring to be safe and effective, IPM will seek regulatory approval for product licensure and collaborate with key partners to help ensure the ring is made available at low cost as soon as possible to women in developing countries.
The ring
IPM’s ring uses a novel delivery method that slowly releases the ARV dapivirine over time, and is designed to remain in place for at least one month to provide sustained, discreet and easy-to-use protection against HIV.