New study of combined HIV prevention and contraception ring
26 June 2017. Related: HIV prevention and transmission.
Simon Collins, HIV i-Base
On 3 May 2017 nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) announced the launch the first study using a combined HIV PrEP and contraceptive vaginal ring.
The three-monthly ring is designed to simultaneously slowly release both the antiretroviral dapivirine and the contraceptive hormone levonorgestrel.
The primary aim of the MTN-030/IPM 041 study is safety and pharmacokinetics rather than efficacy to prevent either HIV infection or pregnancy.
Although davivirine showed efficacy compared to placebo in women who used the ring in two phase 3 studies, dapivirine has not be approved as PrEP.
Ref: IPM press statement. IPM Advances Three-month HIV Prevention and Contraception Ring to Clinical Trial (0 May 2017).