Overview of Microbicides for HSV-2 and HIV Prevention

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Overview of Microbicides for HSV-2 and HIV Prevention

Jeremy Paull, PhD
Vice President, Development & Regulatory Affairs, Starpharma Pty Ltd

Topical microbicides are intended to prevent sexually transmitted HIV infection. Few microbicides are being developed for prevention of other STIs. SPL7013 Gel (VivaGel™) is the only microbicide under active development as a microbicide for prevention of both HIV and genital herpes (HSV-2).

HIV is a devastating epidemic in the developing world, and incidence is increasing in the developed world. In the U.S., HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in young African-American women. In the U.S., HSV-2 infects 22% of sexually active people, while in sub-Saharan Africa 50-70% of HIV negative women are also HSV-2 positive.

Several studies demonstrate a strong association between HSV-2 and HIV infection. More than 80% of HIV infected people globally are also HSV-2 positive. HSV-2 infection has been shown to increase susceptibility to HIV, and to increase infectiousness of HIV infected individuals. Studies are currently investigating the effects of suppressing HSV-2 on incidence of HIV.

VivaGel™ has been shown to prevent HSV-2 and HIV infection in animal models. Since it is estimated that 30-50% of all new HIV infections in Africa are due to HSV-2, a microbicide shown to be effective against HSV-2 could be expected to have a significant impact on HIV incidence.

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Last Updated : 04/12/2007 12:33:46