Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

2010-05-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

Formation of the Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

2009-10-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Formation of the Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

Some of the readers of this column might be interested to know about the various factors which had helped regarding the formation of MSI, the first of its kind in any country. After talking to various scientists in the field of microbicides and HIV prevention in India , a brief summary regarding the genesis of MSI is given below

The research and development programs in India from its own national resources and funds on the treatment and / or prevention of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including the HIV, had been going on since 1990s, but in patches and in a low key manner. Amongst the international partners, CONRAD started screening compounds from Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) Lucknow in the early 1990's. The National Institute of Health (NIH) / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) started some work in these areas at YRG Care Chennai as well as National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) Pune around 1998, and later on, also supported at these centres, the establishment of a Clinical Trials Unit starting around 2005.

However, it was CONRAD USA which had initiated the microbicides research activities in India around 1999, by supporting a TOPCAD Program at the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)'s Institute (National Institue of Pharmaceutical & Educational Research - NIPER) in Chandigarh with Dr Sanjay Garg in collaboration with Dr Zananveld from University of Chicago, for the formulations of several newer microbicidal products. It, also concurrently had supported the clinical trials of two types of female condoms. Later on, CONRAD signed MOUs with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as well as with DBT for Microbicides Research and broadened it base of collaborative researches covering through research training and project grants to the various scientists ranging from basic researches to clinical trials as well as hands on laboratory training workshops on Pre-clinical Toxicology screening In-Vitro Methods for the Microbicidal Products. The Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) through PATH India, in early 2000s, started several sensitization meetings with the NGOs, several community based organizations, general public and journalists about the possibility of the microbicidal products being available for the HIV prevention and how should they be used.
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The ICMR and DBT had also started a expanded joint R & D program for the microbicidal products during 2006. Thereafter, India had hosted the Microbicides 2008 Conference in February 2008 at New Delhi. All these factors, led to internal discussions amongst the few like minded Indian scientists working in the field of microbicides, and felt the need to form a professional society. That is how, the Microbicides Society of India (MSI) was formed. Several international scientists and partners - specially like CONRAD, always had also encouraged and supported the idea of the formation of MSI, which became a reality from June 31, 2009.

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 8-21 September 2009

2009-09-21T01:27:00.000-07:00

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 8-21 September 2009
Issue 5
Monday, 21 September 2009
--------------------------

The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. It is committed to document and showcase microbicides-related research and advocacy happening in India through VOICES from the MSI Network column. This is issue 5 (8-21 September 2009):
--------------------------

Major Microbicides related news from around the world in the past week
Kenya tests gels that block spread of HIV
VOICE Study, a major HIV prevention trial for women is launched in Zimbabwe

VOICES from the MSI network

"India needs the technologies for meeting all the three important needs of an individual as well as for the country – i.e. prevention of unwanted pregnancies, prevention of non-HIV STIs as well as HIV" (Dr Badri N Saxena)

Dr Badri Saxena (read full text of his profile here) is an internationally and nationally known medical doctor in the field of reproductive health research. Before starting his professional career in India, Dr Saxena had already worked in three topmost medical academic institutions in the world (1. as a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Medical School & Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston USA; 2. as a Ford Foundation Fellow at Karolinska Institute & Hospital, Stockholm Sweden; 3. as a Senior Lecturer at Royal Postgraduate Medical School & Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK) . Dr Saxena also had the scientific research and management experience of having worked as United Nations (UN) Staff of World Health Organization (WHO)'s Special Programme for Research in Human Reproduction, Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Saxena has worked in India with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 21 years (from April 1977 to March 1998). Dr. Saxena had been primarily responsible for developing multi-faceted national programmes for research in human reproduction and nutrition and introduced the concept of Task Force Approach in India for biomedical research activities. To reduce the regional imbalances in a diverse country like India for the national research efforts, Dr. Saxena established a network of collaborating centres in the medical colleges in the different parts of the country - called as Human Reproduction Research Centres ( HRRCs)

From October 2001, Dr Saxena has been involved in the national and global research & development efforts on Microbicidal drugs with emphasis on the women-controlled methods for HIV prevention. From February 2004, He is also the Chair of the ICMR’s Experts Research Group on Microbicides Research. Dr. Saxena’s main focuss now is to develop a network of pre-clinical and clinical trial research centres for the microbicidal products and other HIV prevention technologies. Dr Saxena has been the Conference Co-chair for Microbicides 2008 International Conference. Recently , Dr Saxena has been elected as the President of the Microbicides Society of India (MSI).

Dr. Saxena is a rare individual of combining the first rate nationally and internationally recognized research capabilities, while also doing the science management and promoting collaborative research with several international & bilateral agencies as well the NGOs. MSI team spoke to Dr Badri Saxena this week:

1) Is Microbicides research and advocacy a priority in Indian context?

Dr Badri Saxena: According to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in India, unsafe sex is the highest risk factor for HIV transmission in the country. About 86 percent HIV incidence in the country is from unprotected sex. Globally too, unsafe sex is recognized as one of the highest risk factors for disability and deaths worldwide. More people acquire curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV, than HIV globally. The data is shocking: every year, about 34 crore people (340 million) get infected with at least one of the four primary curable STIs: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and syphilis, and just under 30 lakhs (3 million) become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is evident from clinical experiences in India, that a large number of people acquire chronic infections with pathogens such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV), a cause of genital ulcers, and the human papilloma virus (HPV), responsible for cervical cancer. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recent research estimates of 2005, over 200 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for effective contraception. Every life is invaluable so we need to advocate for prevention of HIV, non-HIV STIs, and effective contraception as well.

Despite considerable evidence of causal relationship between HIV and other STIs, there is – no oral or topical HIV prevention product, at present, which has yet produced clinical evidence of efficacy against non-HIV STIs, nor any new products under investigations which are highly HIV-specific, are expected to do so. Except for physical barrier methods like male or female condoms, which provide dual protection i.e. certain degrees of pregnancy protection besides HIV and non-HIV STIs protection when used correctly and consistently, none of the chemical microbicides investigated so far have shown any degree of acceptable pregnancy protection.

India needs the technologies for meeting all the three important needs of an individual as well as for the country – i.e. prevention of unwanted pregnancies, prevention of non-HIV STIs as well as HIV. It may be scientifically difficult to have one single product possessing all the pharmacological properties to meet the requirements effectively, for all the three preventive needs. However, it may be possible to develop combination products having only two of the preventive properties and use a newer drug delivery systems to combine the remaining third preventive pharmacological product, so that all these different products could be delivered concurrently, at the same time. The MSI would make efforts with the national and international agencies to focus their efforts and provide the required funds as well to develop interactive/ collaborative programs with the Indian scientists. If required, the MSI would develop the facilitatory mechanisms/ promote networking between the national and international scientists/ institutions.

2) Is there any Microbicides research and advocacy update you wish to give?

Dr Badri Saxena: The Microbicides Society of India (MSI) would advocate for the development of multipurpose technologies which would protect the individual from several or all of the health risks i.e. unwanted pregnancy, non-HIV STIs/ RTIs and HIV. The availability of such a product would be both the user friendly as well as the provider friendly, with improved accessibility.

The MSI would help to develop new communication strategies, stimulating the demand for new technologies while promoting the use of existing technologies to fill the gap, by integrating the new approaches with existing strategies.

3) Please mention your contribution to Microbicides research and advocacy?

Dr Badri Saxena: My own contribution as a "newcomer" to the field of microbicides research, has been to use my earlier reproductive health research experiences – both national and international ones, to promote the research in the field of microbicides in India as well as initiate international collaborative activities. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now got an Expert's Group on the Microbicides Research and Development (R & D) programmes, as well as the ICMR-CONRAD MoU for Microbicides Research. There is also a joint ICMR – Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) Programme as well as DBT-CONRAD MoU for Microbicides/ Reproductive Health Research.

4) As Microbicides research and advocacy goes ahead, what are some possible challenges you foresee in coming years?

Dr Badri Saxena: There would be regulatory challenges for the multipurpose technologies for providing the dual protection. Which means good basic science researches which would include better insights for vaginal and rectal physiologies, better biomarkers and in-vivo/ in-vitro testing methods as well as animal models. Better clinical trials would need to be designed to provide the answers rapidly and reliably. We must also realize that these technologies will not by themselves, achieve all the desired goals. It would be essential that these newer technologies need to be introduced with due care, and backed up by well-designed educational programs as well as community involvement with their grass roots leaderships.

5) What best can be done to address these possible obstacles? What should be the role of MSI in this context?

Dr Badri Saxena: Apart from promoting the basic and clinical researches as mentioned above, public health and socio-behavioural researches would be other areas for the MSI to be promoted equally well.

Despite the recent efforts by the Government of India and their respective state counterparts, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and HIV/AIDS services are still functioning independently, in most of places. The need for service integration remains an important programmatic challenge for sexual and reproductive health and HIV care services. Eventually, new multi-purpose technologies will need to be delivered under the existing primary health care delivery system. Therefore, it would be necessary to use the multiple marketing and distribution channels from both public and private sectors, for existing and new methods. The innovative social science and market researches on optimal introduction and development of appropriate strategies for the positioning of the microbicidal products would be the important areas for the R & D activities, in India.
-------------------------------

Upcoming events related to Microbicides
GCM - Microbicides Research Literacy Training (to be announced - Africa): December 2009
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------

Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

VOICES from the MSI network: Dr Badri N Saxena

2009-09-21T01:07:00.000-07:00

VOICES from the MSI network

"India needs the technologies for meeting all the three important needs of an individual as well as for the country – i.e. prevention of unwanted pregnancies, prevention of non-HIV STIs as well as HIV" (Dr Badri N Saxena)

Dr Badri Saxena (read full text of his profile here) is an internationally and nationally known medical doctor in the field of reproductive health research. Before starting his professional career in India, Dr Saxena had already worked in three topmost medical academic institutions in the world (1. as a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Medical School & Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston USA; 2. as a Ford Foundation Fellow at Karolinska Institute & Hospital, Stockholm Sweden; 3. as a Senior Lecturer at Royal Postgraduate Medical School & Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK) . Dr Saxena also had the scientific research and management experience of having worked as United Nations (UN) Staff of World Health Organization (WHO)'s Special Programme for Research in Human Reproduction, Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Saxena has worked in India with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 21 years (from April 1977 to March 1998). Dr. Saxena had been primarily responsible for developing multi-faceted national programmes for research in human reproduction and nutrition and introduced the concept of Task Force Approach in India for biomedical research activities. To reduce the regional imbalances in a diverse country like India for the national research efforts, Dr. Saxena established a network of collaborating centres in the medical colleges in the different parts of the country - called as Human Reproduction Research Centres ( HRRCs)

From October 2001, Dr Saxena has been involved in the national and global research & development efforts on Microbicidal drugs with emphasis on the women-controlled methods for HIV prevention. From February 2004, He is also the Chair of the ICMR’s Experts Research Group on Microbicides Research. Dr. Saxena’s main focuss now is to develop a network of pre-clinical and clinical trial research centres for the microbicidal products and other HIV prevention technologies. Dr Saxena has been the Conference Co-chair for Microbicides 2008 International Conference. Recently , Dr Saxena has been elected as the President of the Microbicides Society of India (MSI).

Dr. Saxena is a rare individual of combining the first rate nationally and internationally recognized research capabilities, while also doing the science management and promoting collaborative research with several international & bilateral agencies as well the NGOs. MSI team spoke to Dr Badri Saxena this week:

1) Is Microbicides research and advocacy a priority in Indian context?

Dr Badri Saxena: According to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in India, unsafe sex is the highest risk factor for HIV transmission in the country. About 86 percent HIV incidence in the country is from unprotected sex. Globally too, unsafe sex is recognized as one of the highest risk factors for disability and deaths worldwide. More people acquire curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) other than HIV, than HIV globally. The data is shocking: every year, about 34 crore people (340 million) get infected with at least one of the four primary curable STIs: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and syphilis, and just under 30 lakhs (3 million) become infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is evident from clinical experiences in India, that a large number of people acquire chronic infections with pathogens such as the herpes simplex virus (HSV), a cause of genital ulcers, and the human papilloma virus (HPV), responsible for cervical cancer. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recent research estimates of 2005, over 200 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for effective contraception. Every life is invaluable so we need to advocate for prevention of HIV, non-HIV STIs, and effective contraception as well.

Despite considerable evidence of causal relationship between HIV and other STIs, there is – no oral or topical HIV prevention product, at present, which has yet produced clinical evidence of efficacy against non-HIV STIs, nor any new products under investigations which are highly HIV-specific, are expected to do so. Except for physical barrier methods like male or female condoms, which provide dual protection i.e. certain degrees of pregnancy protection besides HIV and non-HIV STIs protection when used correctly and consistently, none of the chemical microbicides investigated so far have shown any degree of acceptable pregnancy protection.

India needs the technologies for meeting all the three important needs of an individual as well as for the country – i.e. prevention of unwanted pregnancies, prevention of non-HIV STIs as well as HIV. It may be scientifically difficult to have one single product possessing all the pharmacological properties to meet the requirements effectively, for all the three preventive needs. However, it may be possible to develop combination products having only two of the preventive properties and use a newer drug delivery systems to combine the remaining third preventive pharmacological product, so that all these different products could be delivered concurrently, at the same time. The MSI would make efforts with the national and international agencies to focus their efforts and provide the required funds as well to develop interactive/ collaborative programs with the Indian scientists. If required, the MSI would develop the facilitatory mechanisms/ promote networking between the national and international scientists/ institutions.

2) Is there any Microbicides research and advocacy update you wish to give?

Dr Badri Saxena: The Microbicides Society of India (MSI) would advocate for the development of multipurpose technologies which would protect the individual from several or all of the health risks i.e. unwanted pregnancy, non-HIV STIs/ RTIs and HIV. The availability of such a product would be both the user friendly as well as the provider friendly, with improved accessibility.

The MSI would help to develop new communication strategies, stimulating the demand for new technologies while promoting the use of existing technologies to fill the gap, by integrating the new approaches with existing strategies.

3) Please mention your contribution to Microbicides research and advocacy?

Dr Badri Saxena: My own contribution as a "newcomer" to the field of microbicides research, has been to use my earlier reproductive health research experiences – both national and international ones, to promote the research in the field of microbicides in India as well as initiate international collaborative activities. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now got an Expert's Group on the Microbicides Research and Development (R & D) programmes, as well as the ICMR-CONRAD MoU for Microbicides Research. There is also a joint ICMR – Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) Programme as well as DBT-CONRAD MoU for Microbicides/ Reproductive Health Research.

4) As Microbicides research and advocacy goes ahead, what are some possible challenges you foresee in coming years?

Dr Badri Saxena: There would be regulatory challenges for the multipurpose technologies for providing the dual protection. Which means good basic science researches which would include better insights for vaginal and rectal physiologies, better biomarkers and in-vivo/ in-vitro testing methods as well as animal models. Better clinical trials would need to be designed to provide the answers rapidly and reliably. We must also realize that these technologies will not by themselves, achieve all the desired goals. It would be essential that these newer technologies need to be introduced with due care, and backed up by well-designed educational programs as well as community involvement with their grass roots leaderships.

5) What best can be done to address these possible obstacles? What should be the role of MSI in this context?

Dr Badri Saxena: Apart from promoting the basic and clinical researches as mentioned above, public health and socio-behavioural researches would be other areas for the MSI to be promoted equally well.

Despite the recent efforts by the Government of India and their respective state counterparts, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and HIV/AIDS services are still functioning independently, in most of places. The need for service integration remains an important programmatic challenge for sexual and reproductive health and HIV care services. Eventually, new multi-purpose technologies will need to be delivered under the existing primary health care delivery system. Therefore, it would be necessary to use the multiple marketing and distribution channels from both public and private sectors, for existing and new methods. The innovative social science and market researches on optimal introduction and development of appropriate strategies for the positioning of the microbicidal products would be the important areas for the R & D activities, in India.

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 1-7 September 2009

2009-09-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 1-7 September 2009
Issue 4
Monday, 7 September 2009
--------------------------

The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 4 (1-7 September 2009):
--------------------------

The perils of success: What if the new HIV prevention methods work?
(Source: AIDSmap)
Within a couple of years' time, we may know if two crucial new HIV prevention approaches will work. If they do, what then? Who will pay for them, who will use them, and will their use have a positive or negative impact on the epidemic? A debate at the International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference in Cape Town in July, sponsored by the IAS and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) looked at how to prepare for microbicides and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

To remind you, a microbicide is a substance that can be incorporated into a lubricant, gel or barrier such as a diaphragm that will stop HIV transmission during sex. And PrEP is the concept of HIV-negative people taking anti-HIV drugs in advance of sex (or needle-sharing) to prevent HIV.

Over the next three years or so, crucial trials of these new prevention methods will announce their results. In 2010, we’ll have results from the biggest microbicide trial to date, the Microbicides Development Partnership trial of PRO2000 gel, followed by results from a US trial, too small to produce a definitive result, of PrEP in gay men.

By 2011 we'll know about tenofovir PrEP in Thai drug users, tenofovir/FTC PrEP in South American gay men, and tenofovir gel as a microbicide in South Africa. 2012 will offer PrEP results from men and women in Africa, and from a comparison trial of tenofovir as a microbicide and PrEP. And 2013 will see the end of HPTN052, a lengthy trial aiming for a definitive answer on whether treating everyone with HIV would stop onward transmission.

New prevention methods in HIV have had setbacks in the last few years, after the Merck HIV vaccine and a microbicide (cellulose sulphate) actually increased the risk of acquiring HIV. But following a promising result for the microbicide PRO2000 announced earlier this year, prevention advocates are daring to believe that positive results could be on their way. UNAIDS' chief epidemiologist, Catherine Hankins, commented: "I've got more of my chips down for PRO2000 than I did. We need to anticipate success and plan a very careful communication strategy." Read more

Molecular condom blocks HIV
(Source: Ethiopian Review)
Scientists have been working on microbicide gels for HIV for more than a decade. This type of prophylactic, which women could use without relying on their partners, is of particular interest in areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV-infection rates are high and use of condoms is relatively low. But development has been slow–a number of products have failed clinical trials. Most of the topical microbicides being tested for HIV prevention contain antiviral drugs designed to block replication of the virus once it infects a cell. The new gel, which is being developed by Patrick Kiser and colleagues at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, acts at the first stage of infection–when the virus moves from semen to the surface of vaginal tissue. Read more

The battle in Uganda over female condoms
(Source: Ethiopian Review)
On the surface, it seems like a fine idea; reproductive-rights groups certainly think so. In July the Ugandan government announced that, using cash from the U.N. Population Fund, it would distribute 100,000 female condoms in a bid to stop a resurgence of HIV/AIDS. Advocates cheered the initiative, saying it would give women more control over their bodies. But in the weeks since, major funders of HIV/AIDS-prevention programs have shown far less enthusiasm, with many deciding not to back the plan. Instead of serving as a surefire weapon against the spread of HIV, Uganda's female-condoms initiative has become the latest example of the limitations faced by governments, advocacy groups and donors in the fight against the virus. Read more

IPM welcomes new COO and CHRO
(Source: International Partnership for Microbicides - IPM)
IPM announces two important additions to its strategic team: Mike Goldrich, former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), has joined IPM as COO. Mr. Goldrich is responsible for providing strategic guidance to the IPM senior leadership team, and works collaboratively to manage operations across the organisation and within IPM’s global partner networks.

Kathleen T. Ross, former Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Arbitron, has joined IPM as CHRO. Ms. Ross is responsible for IPM's talent and organisational strategies, including staffing, retention and employee development; compensation, benefits and employee relations; and management, leadership and organisation development.

"Achieving IPM’s mission to develop and ensure access to safe and effective microbicides — and to support broader HIV prevention goals — hinges on the strength of our organisational capacity and leadership team," Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer of IPM, said. "The expertise Mike and Kathleen bring will ensure that strategic growth within the organisation is skillfully carried out." Read more
-------------------------------

Upcoming events related to Microbicides
GCM - Microbicides Research Literacy Training (to be announced - Africa): December 2009
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------

Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 25-31 August 2009

2009-08-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 25-31 August 2009
Issue 3
Monday, 31 August 2009
--------------------------

The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 3 (25-31 August 2009):
--------------------------

The battle in Uganda over female condoms
On the surface, it seems like a fine idea; reproductive rights groups certainly think so. In July, the Ugandan government announced that, using cash from the U.N. Population Fund, it would distribute 100,000 female condoms in a bid to stop a resurgence of HIV/AIDS. Advocates cheered the initiative, saying it would give women more control over their own bodies. But in the weeks since, major funders of anti-HIV/AIDS programs have shown far less enthusiasm, with many deciding not to back the plan. Instead of serving as a surefire weapon against the spread of HIV, Uganda's female condoms initiative has become the latest example of the limitations faced by governments, advocacy groups and donors in the fight against the virus. Read more

Commercial sex workers recycle condoms in Kasama
SOME commercial sex workers in Kasama are repeatedly using one condom with different sexual partners. This is according to a latest survey conducted by the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV and AIDS (NZP+), Kasama chapter in different nightclubs and drinking places. In an interview, NZP+ district board chairperson Joseph Chitupa said it was worrying to see sex workers not following the stipulated instructions on the usage of female condoms. Chitupa said the sex workers' action to use one condom with different partners was risking their clients as they may contract Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV. Read more

Six-African country Microbicides study will present results in November 2009
A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told a South African National AIDS Council conference. "Positive results would add to the tools that women could use to protect themselves from HIV," Motlanthe said at the HIV prevention for women and girls summit in Kempton Park. "Many women, especially those who live in poor settings, do not have the ability or the knowledge to negotiate safer sex, this despite the fact that we have a Constitution that is deeply rooted in a human rights culture," he said. Read more
-------------------------------

Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------

Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 11-24 August 2009

2009-08-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 11-24 August 2009
Issue 2
Monday, 24 August 2009
--------------------------

The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 2 (11-24 August 2009):
--------------------------

Six-African country Microbicides study will present results in November 2009
A microbicide study involving 11 000 women from six African countries will present its results in November, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told a South African National AIDS Council conference. "Positive results would add to the tools that women could use to protect themselves from HIV," Motlanthe said at the HIV prevention for women and girls summit in Kempton Park. "Many women, especially those who live in poor settings, do not have the ability or the knowledge to negotiate safer sex, this despite the fact that we have a Constitution that is deeply rooted in a human rights culture," he said. Read more

Gel could block HIV like a condom
The 'molecular condom' was designed by scientists at the University of Utah in the United States. If it passes clinical trials, it will enable women to protect themselves against HIV without approval from their partners. Women would insert it before intercourse and the acidic conditions of the vagina would ensure it remained liquid, allowing it to coat the vaginal walls and therefore the cells vulnerable to HIV infection. The presence of semen makes the vagina less acidic, and it is expected that this change in pH will cause the molecules within the gel to interact and turn semisolid. The resulting mesh would be so small, virus particles would be unable to penetrate. Unlike existing microbicides, this molecular condom appears not to be affected by high temperatures, making it potentially suitable for use in hot developing countries. Read more

How condoms for men could be a thing of the past
For years, researchers have been working on microbicides (intravaginal gels, rings, and films) that can prevent the transmission of viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Only a handful ever made it to human clinical trial, and ran into issues such as women not using them, or the antiviral drugs in the microbicides not lasting long enough. Some microbicides even seemed to increase the risk of transmission. Read more

Elusive 'holy grail' - an effective microbicide or a vaccine
The behavioural scientists at the recently concluded 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (Cape Town, South Africa) were keen to emphasise that HIV prevention will need to include a range of responses such as continuing safe sex behaviour, circumcision, plus the elusive ‘holy grail’ – an effective microbicide or vaccine. Read more
-------------------------------

Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------

Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 3-10 August 2009

2009-08-13T02:04:00.001-07:00

MSI Microbicides Monitor: 3-10 August 2009
Issue 1
Monday, 10 August 2009
--------------------------

The MSI Microbicides Monitor provides a weekly snapshot of major news pieces on microbicides research, advocacy and development from around the world, including news highlights from countries where clinical trials are taking place, and links to major microbicides-related events or other advocacy opportunities. This is issue 1 (3-10 August 2009):

Molecular Condom' may protect women from HIV
Women who are fed up with their partners not wearing condoms during sex may soon have a new tool to protect themselves against HIV infection. Scientists at the University of Utah have created a gel that women can apply internally that works as a “molecular condom” to block the virus from entering the vagina. Their findings were published online yesterday in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The distribution of this gel could greatly reduce the transmission of HIV in both developing and developed countries, while offering women a discreet way to take control of their sexual health. Read more

MU researchers pioneer HIV cream
The new product would help stop the spread of HIV between sexual partners. The product is a cream that either partner can apply before sexual contact, which then kills the virus before it spreads to the other partner. "This compound has been shown to work extremely well and actually work much better than leading candidates for microbicides that are currently in clinical trials," said Stefan G. Sarafianos, an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology in MU's School of Medicine. Read more

CMA Awards medal of honour to Mark A Weinberg (who chaired Microbicides 2000 in Washington DC)
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) will present the 2009 CMA Medal of Honour to Dr. Mark A. Wainberg, one of the first Canadian scientists to study HIV/AIDS and tireless global advocate for funding of HIV intervention programs and universal access to prevention, care
and treatment programs. Read more
-------------------------------

Upcoming events related to Microbicides
Microbicides International Conference, 2010 - Building bridges in HIV Prevention, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA (22-25 May 2010)
-------------------------------

Produced and disseminated by Citizen News Service (CNS) for Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

Dr Badri N Saxena, President, Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

2009-07-20T23:56:00.000-07:00

Dr Badri N Saxena
President
Microbicides Society of India (MSI)

Dr Badri Saxena is an internationally and nationally known medical doctor in the field of reproductive health research. Before starting his professional career in India, Dr Saxena had already worked in three topmost medical academic institutions in the world (1. as a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Medical School & Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston USA; 2. as a Ford Foundation Fellow at Karolinska Institute & Hospital, Stockholm Sweden; 3. as a Senior Lecturer at Royal Postgraduate Medical School & Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK) . Dr Saxena also had the scientific research and management experience of having worked as United Nations (UN) Staff of World Health Organization (WHO)'s Special Programme for Research in Human Reproduction, Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Saxena has worked in India with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for 21 years (from April 1977 to March 1998). Dr. Saxena had been primarily responsible for developing multi-faceted national programmes for research in human reproduction and nutrition and introduced the concept of Task Force Approach in India for biomedical research activities. To reduce the regional imbalances in a diverse country like India for the national research efforts, Dr. Saxena established a network of collaborating centres in the medical colleges in the different parts of the country - called as Human Reproduction Research Centres ( HRRCs). The HRRC network is now a source of national strength to carry out multicentre studies both clinical and operational researches in the field of Reproductive Health. Dr. Saxena deserves the sole credit for raising the clinical research standards to the international levels in India, by establishing for the first time in the ICMR – the Toxicology Review Panel for the pre-clinical studies as well as the Central / Institutional Ethical Committees for Human Research for clinical trials / human studies. The result of several multicentre studies done in India by Dr. Saxena, have helped to improve the implementation of the national programmes related to family planning, maternal & child health as well as the nutrition programmes.

Dr. Saxena’s main research focus from last four decades of working in both the developing and developed countries has been on improving the health of women and newborns / children. He is currently involved in:

(1) As a Research Professor (Health & Population Policies) at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) New Delhi since May 2000. Dr. Saxena has been focusing on the policy related researches on the reproductive health matters as well as on the public private partnerships for the rural health care including exploring the social health insurance possibilities, which are the priority areas under the National Rural Health Mission.

(2) From October 2001, Dr Saxena has been involved in the national and global research & development efforts on Microbicidal drugs with emphasis on the women-controlled methods for HIV prevention. From February 2004, He is also the Chair of the ICMR’s Experts Research Group on Microbicides Research. Dr. Saxena’s main focuss now is to develop a network of pre-clinical and clinical trial research centres for the microbicidal products and other HIV prevention technologies. Dr Saxena has been the Conference Co-chair for Microbicides 2008 International Conference. Recently , Dr Saxena has been elected as the President of the Microbicides Society of India (MSI).

Dr. Saxena is a rare individual of combining the first rate nationally and internationally recognized research capabilities, while also doing the science management and promoting collaborative research with several international & bilateral agencies as well the NGOs. Dr. Saxena has published more than 150 scientific papers in the international peer-reviewed journals as well as have authored/ co-authored few books. He is a member of several national and international expert groups/ taskforces and winner of several national and international awards. Dr. Saxena is continuing to work as a Consultant in the fields of Reproductive Health as well as Microbicidal products for HIV and non-HIV STIs Prevention, for several national and international agencies.