The Promise of ARV-Based Microbicides

After decades of research, there is great reason to believe that safe and effective microbicides are within reach.

The first microbicides that were studied, called early-generation products, did not specifically target HIV or prove effective in reducing the risk of infection.

Researchers are now focused on microbicides containing antiretroviral drugs—the same ARVs already being used successfully to treat people living with HIV/AIDS and to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Scientific Advances

The latest research shows the promising potential of ARVs to prevent HIV: A microbicide gel containing the ARV tenofovir may prevent HIV infection in women, with a study called FACTS now underway to help resolve differing findings about the gel (learn more about the 2010 CAPRISA trial and the 2011 VOICE trial).

ARVs taken in the form of pills have also shown some success in preventing HIV in certain populations, and ongoing studies will help us learn more and better understand if ARV pills can prevent HIV in women.

A landmark NIH-led study called HPTN-052 shows that when HIV-positive people begin taking ARV treatment very soon after they became infected, their risk of transmitting the virus to an uninfected partner is cut by 96 percent.

Next Steps for Microbicides

IPM and other nonprofit organizations are working to build on recent findings showing the potential of ARVs to prevent infection, with two microbicide products in late-stage development in the field:

Dapivirine ring: IPM's most advanced product is a monthly ring that slowly releases the ARV dapivirine over time to provide women with monthly protection against HIV. The ring is set to launch into long-term safety and efficacy trials in 2012 in partnership with the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN), with results expected in 2015.

Tenofovir gel: As noted above, the ongoing FACTS study (not an IPM study) will confirm whether tenofovir gel works to prevent HIV in women when used before and after sex, with results expected in 2014.

Other microbicides are also in earlier stage development in the field.

Other products in IPM's pipeline include a dual-purpose ring that would offer HIV protection and a contraception in one product, and a combination dapivirine-maraviroc ring now in safety trials in partnership with MTN.

As in HIV treatment, microbicides based on combinations of ARVs that target HIV at different points in the life cycle may maximize the overall protective effect. 

IPM’s Work 

From its inception, IPM’s product pipeline has focused exclusively on ARV-based microbicides and prevention products for women. These products are following the lead of other life-saving prevention methods that have been created by adapting successful treatments for diseases such as malaria, influenza and pneumonia.

Through royalty-free licenses from industry partners, IPM is researching products containing different ARVs for development as microbicides.