Einstein to develop anti-HIV drug deliv...(In recent years supposedly safe microbic...)

"We want to preserve that protective barrier while adding drugs that will be at the right place at the right time when the virus presents," says Dr. Herold. "That is why a ring, which can provide sustained delivery of the microbicide over three to four weeks, would be ideal. People wouldn't have to remember to use it, which is a problem with gels and pills. Also, we don't know if oral medications will get to the right place some drugs get into the genital tract well, but some don't." The ring could be replaced monthly without a doctor's supervision.

The microbicides will be incorporated into vaginal ring under development at the University of Utah, Department of Bioengineering, which is collaborating on the study.

"We've deliberately chosen to focus on drugs that have already been approved for systemic use or are far along in the regulatory process. This should shorten the time it takes to begin clinical trials. We know that every day that goes by, more people are getting infected with HIV," says Dr. Herold. The researchers hope to start Phase I clinical testing within the next four years.

The need for a microbicide-releasing vaginal ring is especially urgent in sub-Saharan Africa, where the infection rate among 15 to 49 year-olds exceeds 23 percent in some countries. AIDS is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa and women account for six out of ten of those living with HIV. "But this is not just a global health problem," says Dr. Herold. "This is a problem here in the U.S. The rates of HIV in certain regions
'/>"/>