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

02643 DESIGN AND PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF DENDRIMER BASED TOPICAL MICROBICIDES FOR HIV & STI PREVENTION

McCarthy, Tom
Karellas, P; Henderson, S.; Giannis, M; O’Keefe, D; Matthews, B; Braggs, B; Paull, J; Heery, G; Krippner, G; Holan, G.
Starpharma Limited, Level 6, Baker Heart Research Building, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004, Australia.

Dendrimers are a relatively new class of macromolecule characterized by highly branched, 3D architectures that are assembled in a precise, step-wise manner. This controlled synthesis allows the assembly of highly defined structures that radiate out in generations from a central initiator core. The result of this iterative growth process is a SINGLE macromolecular entity that contrasts with the mixture of molecules in traditional polymers or naturally occurring carbohydrates.

In developing dendrimers as pharmaceuticals, we have had a focus on the prevention of HIV and STIs and the development of microbicide candidates. One approach investigated was the presentation of anionic groups on a variety of dendrimer scaffolds. Early examples of our polyanion coated dendrimers had activity against HIV and HSV which triggered a lead candidate optimization process and dendrimer SPL7013 was identified as a development candidate. Following a range of preclinical studies, we submitted an Investigational New Drug application (IND) for SPL7013 gel (VivaGel™) to the United States FDA. SPL7013 represented the first time a dendrimer based product has been submitted to the FDA. Phase I safety studies are currently in progress.

This presentation will describe the dendrimer based microbicide discovery phase, the lead candidate optimization process and selected data from the preclinical development of SPL7013.

Dr Tom McCarthy
Starpharma Limited, PO Box 6535, St Kilda Road Central, VIC 8008, AUSTRALIA.
(Telephone) +61 3 8532 2712 (Fax) +61 3 9510 5955 (E-mail) tom.mccarthy@starpharma.com