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

02665 IN VITRO RELEASE OF DEXTRAN SULFATE FROM SILICONE INTRAVAGINAL RINGS

MALCOLM, KARL
LOWRY, D; WOOLFSON, D
School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University of Belfast

Dextran sulphate is a polymeric species containing a negatively charged glycoprotein surface which potently inhibits the absorption of HIV to CD4+ cells by binding to the neutralising domains of gp120. It is currently being evaluated in vaginal microbicidal gel formulations for the prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV. However, from the perspective of providing long-term, female-friendly, patient-compliant, continuous protection against HIV transmission, microbicides incorporated into vaginal gel formulations are far from ideal. For example, the retention of gels (and thus the microbicidal substance) within the vagina is poor, they are messy and difficult to adminster, there is the need for gel application before every act of intercourse, and the nature of a gel is such that it is unlikely be used without the knowledge of the male partner. Silicone intravaginal rings (IVRs) are controlled release drug delivery devices that have been specifically designed to overcome the numerous disadvantages associated with gel formulations. In this study, dextran sulfate (weight average molecular weight 5000 and 10,000 daltons) has been incorporated into various matrix-type and reservoir-type IVR formulations and the in vitro release characteristics (employing an aqueous dissolution medium) evaluated using HPLC in conjunction with an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD). The results demonstrate that dextran sulfate may be released in milligram quantities per day, dependent upon molecular weight and loading.

DR. KARL MALCOLM
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST, 97 LISBURN ROAD, BELFAST, BT9 7BL, UK
(Telephone) +44 (0)28 9027 2319 (Fax) +44 (0)28 9024 7794 (E-mail) k.malcolm@qub.ac.uk