Next trial for Starpharma

Melbourne's Starpharma has started a new clinical trial of VivaGel to measure the duration of antiviral activity after administration.

VivaGel is a vaginal microbicide aimed at preventing transmission of HIV and genital herpes.

Assessment will be by laboratory assay of vaginal samples collected up to 24 hours after VivaGel application. The study in 12 women will determine the timescale over which VivaGel retains activity against HIV and HSV-2 (genital herpes).

"The value of this short trial is that it provides a potential surrogate for antiviral efficacy of VivaGel in humans ahead of Phase III studies," Starpharma's CEO Dr Jackie Fairley said. "It will also give an indication of just how long before sex you could apply VivaGel to prevent infection."

The study is being conducted at the Centre for Clinical Studies in Melbourne and is funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).