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

02446 PC-815, A NOVEL COMBINATION MICROBICIDE

Romero, Jose Fernandez*
Thorn,M., Phillips, D.
Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, Ny 10021

The following is a report on PC-815, a novel microbicide that combines the microbicide Carraguard® and the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) MIV-150 (Medivir AB). Pre-clinical studies indicate that Carraguard is effective in preventing HIV, SIV, HPV, HSV, and Neisseria gonorrhoea infection in vitro or in animals, and clinical trials show that the formulation is stable, safe, and acceptable in humans. Studies done by Medivir show that MIV-150 is highly efficacious in blocking infection by many HIV strains including strains resistant to other RT inhibitors. Animal studies show that MIV-150 is non-toxic, and clinical trials demonstrate that the compound is well tolerated and not easily systemically absorbed. We present evidence that MIV-150 in Carraguard can neutralize free virus. Strong evidence suggests that PC-815 is more efficacious in blocking infection in lymphoma cells than Carraguard or MIV-150 alone. PC-815 also prevents infection of all clinical isolates of HIV tested in PBMCs. In most cases, PC-815 is an order of magnitude more efficacious than Carraguard. By testing efficacy against HIV in vitro, using HPLC, and measuring the viscosity of the formulation, PC-815 was found to be stable for 3 months at 40OC. PC-815 is, therefore, a promising safe, stable and, efficacious microbicide.

Jose Fenandez-Romero
Population Council 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
(Telephone) 212-327-8744 (Fax) 212-327-7678 (E-mail) jromero@popcouncil.org