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| June |
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The International Partnership for Microbicides recently briefed representatives of almost 100 countries at the United Nations on the state of microbicide research.
The May 27 briefing took place in advance of the U.N. General Assembly's High-level Meeting on AIDS, which will convene June 10-11 in New York.
The 90-minute event was a joint activity of IPM, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), UNAIDS and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition. IPM's chief executive officer, Zeda Rosenberg, spoke about progress made in microbicide research — and about the promise microbicides hold for women in the developing world. Seth Berkley, IAVI's chief executive officer, addressed the importance of continued vaccine research, while representatives of Norway, Rwanda and Tanzania offered support for sustained research into new HIV prevention technologies.
"This was an important event for increasing understanding of our work among this critical audience," says Esther Benjamin, IPM's executive director for resource development. "The Permanent Mission representatives who attended were engaged, expressed genuine interest in this work, and asked thoughtful questions."
Countries in attendance reflected the complete geopolitical spectrum, ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The event was co-chaired by the Permanent Missions to the U.N. of India and the Netherlands. |
Dr. Rosenberg addressing the group |
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Bertil Lindblad, a director of UNAIDS in New York (L), looks on as Frank Majoor, the Netherlands’ ambassador to the U.N., speaks |
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Seth Berkley,
CEO of IAVI |
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Minister Plenipotentiary Joyce Kafanabo of Tanzania with Vimala Raghavendran of IPM’s policy team |
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The International Partnership for Microbicides recently presented its microbicide development plans to two Austrian parliamentarians and a representative from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in Vienna. The May 20, 2008, event was arranged with help from IPM's German partner, the German Foundation for World Population (DSW). From L-R: Dr. Brigitte Holzner of ADS; Petra Bayr, Member of Parliament (SPÖ), Chair of Parliamentary Group on Reproductive Health; Renate Baehr of DSW; Maria Grander, MP (ÖVP); Katharina Scheffler of DSW; and Dr. Thomas Mertenskoetter, IPM's executive director of external relations for Europe. (Photo: Gottfried Mernyi, EAWM) |
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| March |
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In a boost to HIV prevention research, Merck & Co., Inc., has agreed to provide a royalty-free license to the non-profit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) to develop a novel antiretroviral compound for use as a potential vaginal microbicide.
The compound, called L’644, is a member of a class of antiretroviral molecules known as gp41 fusion inhibitors, which inhibit HIV infection by preventing the virus from fusing with the surface of target cells, an early step in the HIV infection process, potentially representing a novel way to block infection.
This announcement follows a similar agreement with Merck that granted IPM a royalty-free license in 2005 to develop another compound, L’167/CMPD167, which belongs to the class of molecules known as CCR5 blockers.
Read the press release: English |
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March 1, 2008 — Last week at the Microbicides 2008 Conference in New Delhi, India, researchers from the International Partnership for Microbicides presented on their efforts to develop safe, effective, female-controlled HIV prevention options and make them accessible to women in developing countries.
Microbicides 2008 is a biennial, international conference that brings together researchers, advocates, and policy-makers from across the globe working to advance the development of microbicides – topical products that have the potential to reduce sexual transmission of HIV. The conference was held at the Hotel Ashok, Feb. 24-27. Presentations by IPM staff, Scientific Advisory Board members, and directors focused on topics ranging from clinical trial design to microbicide introduction and access.
IPM Presentations Included:
Sunday, Feb. 24
- ARVs in Microbicides Pipeline and Status of Testing – Joe Romano, PhD
- Industrializing Microbicides Symposium: Summary of Toxicology/Formulation Workshop – Jeremy Nuttall, MSc
Monday, Feb. 25
- Alternative Study Designs – Zeda Rosenberg, ScD
- Pharmacokinetic Assessment of an Anti-HIV Dapivirine Vaginal Microbicide Gel (GEL-002) – Annalene Nel, MD, PhD
- Satellite Symposium: New Dosage Forms for Microbicides – Facilitated by Joe Romano, PhD
- Clinical Safety and Tolerability Assessment of an Anti-HIV Dapivirine Vaginal Microbicide Gel (Gel-002) – Shanique Smythe
Tuesday, Feb. 26
- Panel Discussion: Criteria to Enable Rational Microbicide Selection for Clinical Efficacy Testing – Facilitated by Robin Shattock, MD; with Joe Romano, PhD
- Roundtable: Microbicides and HIV+ Women – Chaired by Anandi Yuvaraj
- Symposium: Development of Combinations – Co-chaired by Thomas Mertensköetter, MD
- Planning for Introduction and Access – Al Profy, PhD; Thomas Mertensköetter, MD; Youssef Tawfik, MD
Wednesday, Feb. 27
- The Use of Oligonucloeotide Based Microarray Data From Human Cervical and Vaginal Epithelial Cell Lines as a Model for Characterizing the Potential Local Toxicity of Candidate Microbicides – Jeremy Nuttall, MSc
- Symposium: Developments of combination – ARVs and delivery technologies – Joe Romano, PhD
Poster Presentations
- Building Effective Community Partnerships in Microbicides Research: A Gender Perspective with a Global Focus – Andrew Lambert
- In-Vitro Release Rate Testing (IVRT) as a Performance Test for Dapivirine (TMC-120) Vaginal Gels – Joe Romano, PhD
- Proceedings from 2007 Microbicide Access Forum – Youssef Tawfik, MD
- Using Dose Reduction Capability and the Rheological Flexibility of Micellar Nanoparticle-based Formulations to Deliver Microbicides – Joe Romano, PhD
- A Vaginal Gel Product Attribute Study: Market Research in the Developing World to Support Microbicide Development – Karen Douville
- Worldwide Manufacturing Capabilities Survey 2007 – Anita Garg, MSc
For more information about the conference, click here: http://www.microbicides2008.com/invitation.asp |
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| February |
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The Population Council, an international not-for-profit organization that conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research, has now released final results from its Phase III efficacy trial of Carraguard, a vaginal gel being tested to prevent HIV transmission to women during sex. Results from the three-year trial, conducted at three clinical research centers in South Africa, show that while Carraguard had a strong safety profile, it did not prevent HIV infection.
Read the press statement: English | French | Spanish |
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| January |
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Expanding the pipeline of HIV prevention tools in development, the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) today announced that Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) has agreed to give IPM a royalty-free license to maraviroc, its newly-approved HIV treatment, as a microbicide for the prevention of HIV infection. Maraviroc, sold under the trade name Selzentry™/Celsentri®, is one of a new class of antiretroviral drugs known as CCR5 blockers, which works to prevent HIV infection by preventing the virus from gaining entry into target cells. Read the press release: English | French |
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| November |
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The theme of World AIDS Day 2007 is “leadership,” reminding us all that the fight against HIV and AIDS requires vision, innovation, and perseverance. This past year has been a difficult one for HIV prevention research. The world has seen disappointing results from trials of HIV vaccines, microbicides, diaphragms, and other efforts. Despite these setbacks, IPM remains focused and dedicated to its mission. The need for additional HIV prevention options is greater than ever and new, safe and effective tools like microbicides could benefit millions of people at risk of HIV.
Looking ahead, there is no doubt that prevention research will confront further challenges, but we cannot become discouraged. The epidemic continues to ravage communities in Africa, where AIDS is the primary cause of death. In the United States, a new HIV study released this week found "a modern epidemic remarkable for its size, complexity and reach” in Washington, D.C. And while it is welcome news that UNAIDS has revised its global estimate of the number of infections downward, even the lowest prevalence figure of 30 million infections worldwide is a public health crisis.
Download the full statement in pdf: English
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| August |
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In 2006, IPM commissioned a review of the introduction of selected reproductive health technologies (intra-uterine devices, implant contraception and female condoms) to identify lessons for microbicides from their launch, piloting and scale up. Results from the review have been published in a new report entitled: Planning for Microbicide Access in Developing Countries: Lessons from the Introduction of Contraceptive Technologies. The report examines the history of introduction and related issues for each contraception method, including a discussion of the roles that four main sectors – civil society, government, social marketing and private – have played in providing these contraceptives to developing country populations.
Download the report in PDF |
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| July |
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IPM’s latest Annual Report is now available. In 2006, IPM:
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Expanded the microbicide pipeline and advanced products in pre-clinical development |
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Investigated new microbicide formulations, developed trial sites and completed key safety trials |
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Integrated the concerns and perspectives of community members into microbicide development |
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Increased support for microbicides and prepared for access to products |
If you would like to receive a hard copy of the report, please send your request to: info@ipm-microbicides.org.
Download the Annual Report in English | French |
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| June |
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On 4-7 July, more than 1,500 women from around the world gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss women’s leadership on HIV/AIDS at the World YWCA’s International Women’s Summit. Two workshops allowed Summit participants to learn more about microbicides and other HIV-prevention options for women: “Microbicides to Prevent HIV in Women” on 5 July and “ListenLearnLead on HIV-Prevention Options for Women and Girls” on 6 July. In addition, on 6 July a public town hall meeting on “Female-Initiated Prevention Methods” shared the latest in microbicide development and other HIV-prevention options with local Kenyans as well as Summit participants.
Learn more about the International Women’s Summit |
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IPM’s U.S. office is now located at:
8401 Colesville Road
Suite 200
Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
Phone and email are the same:
Tel: +1-301-608-2221
Fax: +1-301-608-2241
Email: info@ipm-microbicides.org
Addresses and phone numbers for IPM’s offices in Belgium and South Africa can be found on the Contact IPM page. |
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Microbicide development is a long and complicated process, with many hurdles that are unique, including challenges in product design, in the conduct and design of clinical trials, and in obtaining licensure of a new class of products intended for use almost exclusively in developing countries. The March 2007 issue of the scientific journal Infectious Disease Clinics of North America is focused on the topic of HIV/AIDS and includes an article on “The Future of HIV Prevention: Prospects for an Effective Anti-HIV Microbicide.” The article, which was co-authored by several IPM staff and partners, provides an overview of the types of microbicides currently in development, as well as a thorough look at these challenges and the approaches being taken to address them.
Download the article in PDF
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America website |
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| March |
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From a statement on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2007, from IPM’s CEO, Dr. Zeda Rosenberg: “Recent months have brought much news, both good and bad, about new technologies currently being researched for the prevention of HIV. When all of this news is put together, sadly, women remain, for the most part, without any real protection from this disease. On this International Women’s Day, as we celebrate women’s strengths and achievements, we must pledge to do more to protect women from HIV infection. All of us who are involved in HIV prevention—from laboratory scientists to ministries of health, from international donors to community health educators, and, most importantly, the tens of thousands of women and men who are volunteering to participate in clinical trials—must redouble our efforts to ensure that women, in particular, have a range of safe, effective, accessible and user-friendly tools to protect themselves from this devastating disease.”
Read the full statement: English | French |
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| January |
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Today CONRAD, a not-for-profit reproductive health research organization, announced it has halted the Phase III efficacy trial of its cellulose sulfate based product, a microbicide gel that was being tested for HIV prevention in women. In addition, Family Health International (FHI) halted a second Phase III efficacy trial of the same cellulose sulfate product in Nigeria. The swift decision to close the trials and openly communicate these preliminary results reflects the commitment of the microbicide field to protect volunteers and advance the search for a safe, effective product that could protect millions of women.
Read the full statement: English | French |
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The European Commission has announced a grant to IPM Belgium for €4.2 million. The three-year grant, with a strong focus on engaging communities in clinical trials, will fund the development of up to eight clinical trial sites in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Read the press release: English | French |
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| December |
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The announcement from the National Institutes of Health that the Data and Safety Monitoring Board has halted male circumcision trials in Kenya and Uganda represents an historic breakthrough in the field of HIV prevention research. As these trials have demonstrated, male circumcision has the potential to become an important new tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are inspired to learn about these results, and we encourage the global community to begin to undertake the practical steps required, including the provision of technical support, to make this intervention accessible to the millions of people who stand to benefit.
Read the full statement: English | French |
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On World AIDS Day, December 1, the government of Canada announced a grant of CAD15 million (US$ 13.2 million) to IPM to support product development and clinical trials of microbicides for women in developing countries. This brings the total Canadian contribution to IPM to CAD30 million (US$ 25.6 million). “With women and girls making up almost 60 percent of those living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment to address the feminization of HIV/AIDS is a key focus of our efforts to fight this deadly disease. Developing an effective microbicide – a means of preventing HIV infection that women can control – is key to this,” said the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages.
Read the press release: English | French |
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Momentum for HIV-prevention research advanced significantly on World AIDS Day, December 1, with the announcement of new funding support for microbicides. At a luncheon in Brussels hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, the Belgian Ministry of Development Cooperation announced a €3 million (US$3.9 million) grant to IPM over the next three years. Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IPM, also provided a presentation on microbicides at the luncheon for the Princess and honored guests. This first-ever grant to IPM from the Belgian government represents a considerable show of support for the development of microbicides for women in developing countries. The government of France also committed a first-time grant of
€200,000 (US$0.26 million) in support of IPM’s microbicide research and development efforts.
Read the press release: English | French | Dutch |
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| November |
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IPM commends the government of the Netherlands
for its leadership in the global effort to develop microbicides
to protect women in developing countries from HIV infection.
The Netherlands, on 2 November, announced renewed commitment
of €12 million (US$15.2 million) over four years. This second
grant to IPM from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will
support preclinical work necessary to analyze promising microbicide
candidates as well as the conduct of clinical trials of viable
microbicide candidates, including safety, expanded safety, and
large-scale efficacy testing.
Read
the press release |
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| August |
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More than 20,000 participants from around the globe gathered in Toronto to share the latest evidence, ideas and lessons learned in HIV/AIDS research, policies and programmes. The conference proved to be a true watershed event for highlighting both prevention and the feminization of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Microbicides were featured prominently as part of the array of prevention options in development, and leaders such as Bill and Melinda Gates, former US President Bill Clinton, Stephen Lewis and Peter Piot each highlighted the importance of microbicide development. IPM’s participation included: a pre-conference meeting on ‘Understanding Microbicide Introduction in Africa and India’ (Aug. 13); Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer, co-chaired a session on Microbicide Development (Aug. 16); Dr. Joe Romano, Executive Director for Research and Development, presented the results of an intravaginal ring safety trial during the Microbicide Development session (read abstract; view presentation); Karen Douville, Executive Director for Project Management, presented a poster on Modeling Phase III Microbicide Clinical Trial Costs (Aug. 15); and Saul Walker, Executive Director for Global Public Policy, presented a poster on A Framework for the Future Microbicide Access in Developing Countries (Aug. 16). In addition, IPM had a booth in the exhibition hall. Microbicides also were discussed during other forums, including a plenary session by Prof. Gita Ramjee on August 15 (view presentation).
Complete list of microbicides activities at AIDS 2006
More information about the XVI International AIDS Conference
Consultation on Microbicide Introduction in Africa and India Successfully Concluded Today
Women leaders call for increased investment in microbicides About the Women’s
Leadership Network
Plenary presentation by Dr. Gita Ramjee on “Microbicides & Other Prevention Technologies”
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With funding from the European Commission, IPM hosted a one-day consultation, Understanding Microbicide Introduction in Africa and India, on August 13 in Toronto, Canada. The consultation brought together leading experts in the reproductive health, microbicide and broader HIV/AIDS fields. Presentation topics included a review of experiences from the introduction of reproductive health products and factors impacting microbicide introduction in Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and India. The results of studies modeling the impact of microbicides and HIV vaccines in developing countries were presented and current plans for microbicide introduction were discussed. Participants also provided views on the design of planned studies IPM will commission to model the impact of different policy decisions on microbicide introduction in select developing countries.
View PDFs of the presentations
Read a press release about the consultation |
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| July |
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The Group of Eight (G8) leaders of industrialized nations, meeting on July 15-17 in St. Petersburg, Russia, released a document entitled “Fight Against Infectious Disease” on July 18, in which they call for a wider use of strategies and tools that promote investment in the research, development and production of vaccines and microbicides for HIV. The International Partnership for Microbicides commends the G8 leaders for their commitment to developing new prevention technologies to fight HIV and hopes that all members of the G8 will now invest in research and development for new HIV prevention technologies.
Read the G8 document: “Fight Against Infectious Disease” (English) |
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| May |
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In June 2001 at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS), the world made an historic commitment to mobilizing a comprehensive response to the global challenge of HIV and AIDS. The declaration noted the crucial importance of developing new tools, such as microbicides, to broaden and improve options for people, particularly women, to prevent HIV transmission. In June 2006, world leaders gathered again to assess progress in meeting these commitments and set the direction for the global response to HIV and AIDS for the next five years and beyond. It is crucial that investment in new prevention tools, such as microbicides and vaccines, remains a central part of a comprehensive and sustainable response to HIV and AIDS. IPM has prepared a two-page brief to illustrate how and why member states can and should provide crucial support for investment in microbicides.
Read the brief: English | French |
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Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, IPM’s CEO, participated as a speaker on a new hour-long television program featured on CNN and CNN International. The show, which premiered worldwide on April 29, was timed to mark the 25th anniversary of the emergence of AIDS. The discussion was moderated by CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta with former U.S. President Bill Clinton and some of the world’s leading HIV and AIDS experts and activists exploring how to defeat this epidemic.
Learn more about the show |
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| April |
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The biennial international Microbicides Conference was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 23-26 April 2006. The meeting brought together more than 1,200 scientists, advocates, donors and other stakeholders to discuss the latest news and issues related to microbicide development. Transcripts of speeches given by Mrs. Graça Machel, Ambassador Peter Beck Christiansen and Joy Phumaphi of the World Health Organization, as well as scientific summaries for each day of the conference, are now available on-line at: www.microbicides2006.org. |
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IPM has published a new issue brief on its ongoing clinical trials. The paper includes basic information about microbicides and their development, as well as details on the current status of IPM’s clinical trials of dapivirine. The importance of care and treatment of trial participants, as well as how communities are involved in IPM’s clinical trials, are covered as well. The issue brief also contains a glossary of terms related to microbicide clinical trials as a resource for readers.
The issue brief is available in English (pdf) | French (pdf) |
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| December |
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Four European governments announced on World AIDS Day nearly US$30 million in new funding commitments to the International Partnership for Microbicides. The announcements, made by the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden will significantly advance the search for microbicides for women in developing countries who, according to recent statistics from UNAIDS, continue to be disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said today: “The AIDS crisis represents a human tragedy for the more than 40 million men, women and children suffering from the disease around the world. … Today’s funding looks to the long-term and will encourage the development of vaccines and microbicides that will benefit both the developing and developed world.”
Read the full press release: English
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| November |
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Upon reviewing the UNAIDS/WHO 2005 AIDS Epidemic Update, Zeda Rosenberg, Sc.D., Chief Executive Officer of IPM, stated: “The UNAIDS report shows that women continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. Globally, 17.5 million women are living with HIV – one million more than in 2003…New prevention strategies such as microbicides are desperately needed by the world’s women…Recent agreements between IPM and major pharmaceutical companies, which have agreed to give to IPM royalty-free licenses for some of their antiviral drugs for development as microbicides, are exactly what are needed to get microbicides into the hands of women who need them as fast as possible. I hope that other drug companies will soon follow their lead by giving IPM more compounds and new technologies.”
Read the full press release: English
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| October |
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Two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Merck & Co. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS), today announced that they will collaborate with IPM to develop new antiretroviral compounds as potential microbicides to protect women from HIV. Under the two separate agreements, Merck and BMS will each provide IPM with a royalty-free license to develop, manufacture and distribute their compounds for use as microbicides in resource-poor countries. Both compounds are part of a new class of antiretrovirals known as “entry inhibitors,” preventing HIV from efficiently binding to the host’s cells, thus preventing infection.
Read the full press release: English | French
Read statements by UNAIDS and NGO leaders on these agreements
Listen to the recording (MP3) of the press teleconference on October 31, 2005 (10:00AM EST)
Read a transcript (PDF) of the press teleconference |
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HIV/AIDS service providers, scientists, medical experts, health activists and policy makers from across Arizona met on October 12, 2005, to discuss new strategies to halt the growing AIDS epidemic in women. The event was co-sponsored by leaders in the HIV/AIDS community in Southern Arizona – the Arizona AIDS Policy Alliance, El Rio Community Health Center/Special Immunology Associates, the Southwest Institute for Research on Women and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation – and featured Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IPM. The event, “Microbicides to Prevent HIV and AIDS: The Status of Science and Clinical Trials,” marked the first time Arizona AIDS leaders have come together to discuss the feminization of the global AIDS epidemic and the importance of finding new prevention methods like microbicides to reduce the spread of HIV among women and girls.
Read the full press release
View Dr. Zeda Rosenberg’s presentation (PowerPoint) |
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Microbicides: Meeting the challenge of HIV prevention in women
On October 7, 2005, IPM and the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) co-hosted a half-day briefing on the importance of microbicides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event provided basic facts about microbicides and their potential to protect women from HIV infection, particularly in developing countries, and highlighted current European efforts to support microbicide development. Speakers included: Mr. Michel Lastschenko, Belgian Special AIDS Envoy; Ambassador dos Santos Lucas, Mozambican Ambassador to Belgium & the EU; Dr. Lieve Fransen, DG Development, European Commission; Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of IPM; and Ms. Lori Heise, Director of the Global Campaign for Microbicides.
Read the meeting report (pdf) |
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| September |
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Microbicides: An Essential HIV Prevention Strategy for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
Attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is critically dependent on the successful reversal of the AIDS pandemic. IPM argues that unless the world is able to halt and reverse the devastating spread of HIV among the poor, and especially among women and girls, there is a strong probability that many of the MDGs will not be reached. This policy paper outlines the role that microbicides could play in helping to address the challenge that HIV poses to poverty reduction and the human development agenda, and urges world leaders to accord greater priority to the development and delivery of much-needed public health goods such as microbicides which are essential for achieving the MDGs.
The policy paper is available in English (pdf), French (pdf) |
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| July |
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IPM’s first-ever annual report is now available in PDF and hard copy. The report provides in-depth information on how IPM is working to accelerate the development and distribution of microbicides, including: details on research and development activities; progress in clinical trials and capacity building; advances in regulatory pathways; preparation for access and use of microbicides; and building awareness through global advocacy and resource mobilization. In addition, the annual report provides financial information, a list of collaborators and partners, and other useful information about IPM.
The report is available in English (pdf) and French (pdf)
If you would like a hard copy of the report, please send your request to: info@ipm-microbicides.org |
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HIV Prevention and Microbicides -
July 5, 2005
“They're creams, gels, or rings that women can apply to prevent HIV transmission during sex. But are microbicides effective? And what's the best way to distribute them?” Listen to this 30-minute interview with Zeda Rosenberg, IPM’s Chief Executive Officer, to learn more about the effectiveness of microbicides, the types of products in development, and how women in developing countries will be able to access them when they are available.
Listen to the Radio interview with Dr. Zeda Rosenberg |
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| June |
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View Open Letter to the Leaders of the G-8 Nations (pdf)
Drug Companies Appeal For G8 Backing To Fight Diseases
The Financial Times | Published: June 17 2005
Neglected diseases are fighting for attention
Alternative medicine | Published: June 16 2005 | From The Economist print edition |
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New York – June 2, 2005 -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke at a briefing co-hosted by IPM and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) organized during the UN General Assembly Special Session HIV/AIDS review. The meeting was organized to raise awareness of the need for developing country participation in advocating for the development of new prevention technologies such as microbicides and vaccines.
View a webcast of the event
View a transcript of the event
View photos from the event |
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| May |
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Mrs. Graça Machel, said in Maputo on May 30th: “The world needs to act now to commit the resources and political will to scale up research and development for microbicides.” Mrs. Machel, the former first Lady of Mozambique and President of the Mozambican non-governmental organization the Foundation for Community Development was speaking at a briefing on microbicides in Maputo, Mozambique. The event was organized to open a dialogue with members of the community, international organizations, donors, researchers and NGO leaders engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, advocacy and policy development. |
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April |
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IPM donors met in London on April 25th to review IPM’s progress and to discuss critical issues that impact microbicide development including the need for a greater pipeline of candidate microbicides, engagement of the pharmaceutical industry, the need for resources for microbicide development and the ethics of clinical trials. Donors gathering in London were representatives from Canada, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States as well as representatives from the European Commission, the Rockefeller Foundations and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Led by Board of Directors Vice Chair, Alex Coutinho of TASO in Uganda, the donor meeting was an important gathering of microbicide donors and supporters, including France and the Alliance for Microbicide Development, to brainstorm on ways to raise awareness and garner additional support for microbicide development. |
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| March |
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In the run up to the G8 Summit scheduled for July 6-8, 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland, IPM and colleague organizations urge the members of the G8 to increase investment in microbicide research and development to slow HIV infection rates among women in developing countries. To read the paper click here. |
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11 March 2005 Dr. Lulu Oguda, IPM’s Regional Manager for Africa for Clinical and Regulatory Affairs will participate in a panel today at the 2nd Canadian Microbicides Symposium: Advancing HIV Prevention, taking place in Ottawa. The goal of the symposium is to build commitment for multisectoral contributions to microbicides from Canada, by defining what each sector (government, community, research, private sector) could contribute to the microbicide field, domestically and/or globally. A concrete action plan outlining Canada’s role in microbicide development will be an outcome of the symposium. The Honourable Aileen Carroll, Minister for International Cooperation a vocal supporter of microbicides, opened the meeting at a reception last night where she said, “Research and development are essential, if we are to win the fight against AIDS. The search for a microbicide is an important contribution to overall prevention efforts.” |
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United Nations, NY – IPM CEO, Dr. Zeda Rosenberg joined a UNAIDS-sponsored panel on March 3 rd to discuss the link between women’s empowerment and HIV. The panel was held as part of the Commission on the Status of Women meetings being held at the United Nations this week. Joining Dr. Rosenberg on the panel were Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta of the International Center for Research on Women; Ms. Gillian Holmes of the UNAIDS’ Global Coalition on Women and AIDS; Charlotte Bunch of the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership; and Dr. Lynn Collins of the UNFPA. The group discussed the primary goals of UNAIDS’ Global Coalition on Women and AIDS focusing on reducing violence against women; preventing HIV infections among girls and young women; promoting access to new HIV prevention options for women such as microbicides and securing property and inheritance rights for women and girls. Dr. Rosenberg’s presentation was well received by the attendees and led a discussion on microbicides. |
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| February |
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Boston -- IPM CEO Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Executive Director for Regulatory and Clinical Affairs, Dr. Paul Coplan and Executive Director for External Affairs and Policy, Martin Methot, provided a briefing on February 23rd to HIV/AIDS treatment activists attending the 12th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. The goal of the briefing was to provide treatment activists with an update on the status of microbicide development and IPM’s work to accelerate their development for women in the developing world and to open a dialogue with activists on microbicides. Participants at the meeting included activists from the Canada, Portugal, Rwanda, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“This was a good opportunity to better understand IPM’s role in microbicide development,” said Joan Tallada of the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG). “It is essential to incorporate microbicides into a holistic approach to address HIV/AIDS worldwide which includes reinforcing standard prevention, boosting other preventive technologies and scaling up access to treatment - it was very satisfactory to confirm that IPM shares this view.”
“Microbicide development is imperative for women worldwide,” said Louise Binder of Voice of Positive Women. “It was very encouraging to hear directly from Zeda how IPM is becoming a true resource for the microbicide field. When talking of HIV prevention, microbicides will be a powerful tool in every woman’s arsenal in fighting HIV/AIDS.” |
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Statement by IPM CEO on New AIDS Statistics 11/23/04
World AIDS Day 2004, “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
World AIDS Day History/Background |
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Worldwide headquarters: 8401 Colesville Road • Suite 200 • Silver Spring, MD 20910
(p) +1 301-608-2221 • (f) +1 301-608-2241
© Copyright 2008, International Partnership for Microbicides |
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