A latest dual-protection intravaginal ring or IVR has been materialized in order to sustain the co-delivery of 90 days featuring tenofovir and levonorgestrel which is an innovative drug that is anti human immunodeficiency virus and also a contraceptive.
The only prophylactic Tenofir has exhibited its efficiency in lowering the transmission of HIV sexually when it takes the form of gel formulation. The research about this product was presented during the Annual Meeting and Exposition of AAPS or American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. This is the largest meeting in the pharmaceutical sciences sector in the world that was held on 19th November in San Antonio.
According to the World Health Organization, exactly 87 million unwanted pregnancies occur every year while over 35.3 million people have HIV infection across the globe. This IVR was developed by Meredith Clark and David Friend both PhD holders, CONRAD which is a research organization of reproductive health in association with University of Utah. This dual protection IVR features MPT or Multipurpose prevention technology in order to prevent women from HIV transmission and unwanted pregnancies.
The vaginal ring is designed using polyurethane segments that feature reservoir types which were then optimized individually in order to be equipped with two types of drug in a different dosage. This ring has tenofovir as the high flux while the lower flux is of levonorgestrel. Several tests were performed on this ring by the researchers such as in vitro release testing and a 3 month study called as the pharmacokinetic or PK studies which were performed in rabbits and sheep. They also compared it with the study on tenofovir gel.
The PK studies showed that the local amount of tenofovir on the IVR is similar or higher than the ones found in the gel form of the drug. Also, the contraceptive drug’s release was consistent with the other studies that were performed before which showed that it was effective on women.
The product development group of CONRAD and its collaborators are taking up stability studies and clinical trials of phase 1 in females to be held at an early period of 2014 to test between anti HIV contraceptive and anti HIV IVR.
