Population Council Research that makes a difference

Microbicides: The Road Ahead

Satellite Session at AIDS 2012

Tuesday, 24 July
6:30–8:30 pm

Location: Mini Room 2
Abstract no. TUSA19

Co-Sponsors: Population Council, CONRAD, Microbicides Trial Network, and the International Partnership for Microbicides

Moderator: Cate Hankins, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development

Panelists:

• Naomi Rutenberg, Population Council
• Henry Gabelnick, CONRAD
• Jeanne Marazzo, MTN
• Zeda Rosenberg, IPM
• Jim Pickett, IRMA
• Manju Chatani, AVAC
• Peter Cherutich, Kenya National AIDS Control Program
• Linda-Gail Bekker, Desmond Tutu HIV Center

 

Despite important advances in HIV prevention and treatment, 2.7 million individuals worldwide are infected with HIV each year, underscoring the urgent need for new, effective, user-controlled prevention methods like microbicides—products that can be applied to the vagina or rectum as a gel, ring, film or tablet to prevent HIV. Microbicide products can provide multiple benefits—also preventing sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. More product choices will make microbicides more available to women and men.

In this session, experts from the leading microbicide development agencies will provide an update on promising new candidates—from deep in the pipeline to ideas closer to market. Because products only work if individuals are motivated to use them and communities will adopt them, advocates, scientists and practitioners will speak to what we know—and what we still need to learn—about the potential for microbicides to make an impact on the epidemic.

 

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