That Happened!

New York - For the first time there might be something to help women protect themselves from HIV infection. It appears from a National Institutes of Health study that a vaginal microbial gel might have been able to protect from HIV infection, about a third of the women who used it.

The gel, PRO 2000, made by Lexington-based Pharmaceutical company Indevus, was used in the first trial on about 3,100 women in seven clinical centers across Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, and the U.S. The participating women were also provided access to condoms at no cost and necessary information to have safer-sex.
At a conference on Monday, February 9, at Montreal, researchers said the study showed that women who received the gel were 30 per cent less prone to be infected with the virus that causes AIDS than those who did not use it.
This is the first trial in which a microbicide could have been instrumental in the prevention of male-to-female spreading of HIV.

Glenn Cooper, chief executive officer of Indevus said that though not definite, the study outcome has provided a shot in the arm for further research on whether PRO 2000 may finally lead to a specific female-controlled system to use for protection against sexual contraction of HIV. Also, anticipated to be completed before the end of this year, is a second study, about 10,000 women-strong in participation.