This post by IRMA’s Jim Pickett first appeared on the blog of the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance. The VOICE results are extremely important to the field of new prevention technology research. I hope current/future/much-needed discussions about VOICE don’t get drowned out by the HYPE (yes, all caps HYPE) surrounding the “baby cure” story which has dominated coverage out Read More >>

[Click here for the VOICE press release – “Daily HIV Prevention Approaches Didn’t Work for African Women in the VOICE Study” – from the Microbcide Trials Network] IRMA, like the rest of new prevention technology researchers and advocates, is disappointed to learn that daily oral Truvada was not found to be an effective HIV intervention among the African women at Read More >>

via Survey Monkey, for [Project ARM] GLAM Lube Distribution Survey Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this survey on lubricant distribution in your country. International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) has launched a special initiative called “Project ARM – Africa for Rectal Microbicides” to ensure rectal microbicide research and advocacy are on the African map. Read More >>

 [Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012.] via Citizen New Service, by  Chief K.Masimba Biriwasha  Microbicide research has gained momentum in recent years with focus largely on products to prevent HIV during vaginal sex. However, there is a growing momentum to develop Read More >>

via Eurekalert.org A change in the formulation of tenofovir gel, an anti-HIV gel developed for vaginal use, may make it safer to use in the rectum, suggests a study published online this week in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. In laboratory tests of rectal tissue, researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) found that the reformulated gel Read More >>

by IRMA member Morenike Ukpong Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the American women who worked in factories during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women sometimes took entirely new jobs replacing the male workers who were in the military. Rosie the Riveter is commonly used Read More >>

via Voice of America, by Joe DeCapua In 2009, researchers completed a study that showed a microbicide gel could protect women from HIV infection. The gel, known as CAPRISA 004, was nearly 40 percent effective in reducing the risk of infection during sex. The encouraging findings have led to follow-up studies. But just because a microbicide can Read More >>

via AIDSmap.com, by Gus Cairns Neither rectal douching nor vaginal washing appear to be as significantly associated with sexually transmitted infections as had been feared, the International Microbicides Conference in Sydney heard yesterday. In the case of women, vaginal washing and other vaginal health practices have been associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), an imbalance in the types Read More >>

via International Health, by Sanjay Mehendale, Swapna Deshpande, Rewa Kohli, Sharon Tsui, Elizabeth Tolley Abstract This study reports on the acceptability of 1% tenofovir microbicide gel among participants randomised to the coitally-associated use (n=50) or daily use (n=50) arms of a Phase II clinical trial in Pune, India. In a 6-month follow-up study, information on behavioural domains Read More >>

M2012 Registration is Open! “To share in the latest developments in HIV prevention through microbicides and other technologies, this is the conference to attend. The conference is the key event in the microbicides world, where cutting edge research will be presented by world experts, and you will have a chance to interact with people involved at every Read More >>