Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02405 NEW RESOURCES FOR THE FIELD: THE MICROBICIDE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DATABASE

Des Vignes, Franka
Bowcut, J, Lamphear, T, Harrison, P
Alliance For Microbicide Development

Objective: To introduce the new Alliance Microbicide Research and Development Database (MRDD) to the microbicide community as an authoritative, thorough, up-to-date, and reliable source of information on the microbicide pipeline.

Methods: Since early 2003, with funding from the International Partnership for Microbicides, the Alliance has converted and integrated the existing Microbicides Products Database, Clinical Trials Information Center, and Compendium of Bibliographic Abstracts into an on-line interactive, searchable database with different levels of access and maximum on-line security.

Results: The MRDD was completed in October 2003 and is linked to the Alliance website, www.microbicide.org. Authorized Researchers and Developers can submit, review, edit, and up-date all information about their products, and can view only non-proprietary information on products submitted by others. Guest Users are restricted to viewing only non-proprietary information about all products, which includes a profile of each developer/researcher, general product description, pathogen activity profiles, and pre-clinical and clinical status for each candidate. All Users will have access to all information in the “Abstracts Compendium” and “Supportive Research” sections. A novel report feature permits all users to print reports based on non-proprietary information.

Conclusions: The MRDD permits developers to provide information via the web with maximum security and allows the Alliance to more readily compile, up-date, and analyze data. It also offers a richer, sturdier basis for partnering and funding decisions.

Program Officer, Franka des Vignes
8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 940, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(Telephone) 301 587-3312 (Fax) 301 588-8390 (E-mail) fdesvignes@microbicide.org