For prevention of HIV, genital herpes and HPV

VivaGel^® is being developed as a vaginal microbicide to offer safer sex by preventing transmission of genital herpes (HSV-2), HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent of cervical cancer.

There is an enormous global need for a vaginal microbicide offering protection of this kind.  For example:

• In the US, approximately 45 million Americans (26% of women and 18% of men) are infected with HSV-2, the causative agent of genital herpes;
• HIV infects tens of millions of people worldwide and in the US has been reported as the number one cause of death among African-American women between the ages of 25 and 34;
• Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the US, with 6.2 million people newly infected each year.

There are currently no vaginal microbicides on the market. Studies across a wide range of countries have shown strong levels of interest in microbicides by women. In independent research, more than 40% of young American women indicated intent to buy a microbicide when available.

View the clinical studies of VivaGel^®.

VivaGel^® is also being developed for treatment and prevention of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and as a coating for condoms.