Rectal Microbicide Advocates Call For 5x Funding Increase

End Silence, Increase Scientific Investment Say International Rectal Microbicide Advocates

New Delhi, India (Feb 24, 2008)– International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) released Less Silence, More Science: Advocacy to Make Rectal Microbicides a Reality in India today at the Rectal Microbicdes Update at the Microbicides 2008 conference. The report [color version, B&W version] serves as an authoritative reference on recent developments and current efforts in rectal microbicide research, and describes global challenges, and key advocacy goals and strategies to advance scientific discovery on topical rectal products confering protection against HIV transmission.

“Unprotected anal intercourse is a driver in the AIDS epidemic among both men and women around the world. Unfortunately, this fact is obscured by debilitating silence and stigma,” said Jim Pickett, IRMA chair. “We demand less silence and more science, and call for at least a five-fold increase in funding for rectal microbicide research by 2010, from the current US$7 million/year to US$35 million/year. Governments and foundations from Europe, Canada, Australia, and the United States should partner in this critical investment in desperately needed new prevention technologies.”

Currently in development, rectal microbicides are products that could be available in the form of a cream, gel, douche or enema, that may be used to reduce a person’s risk for HIV infection from anal intercourse without a condom or provide additional protection with condoms.

“This work is so incredibly important. Every day we don’t move forward, thousands more get infected”, stated Dr. Peter Anton from UCLA, principal investigator for the world’s first rectal microbicide safety trial. “There is an ethical obligation here to advance the research and development of rectal microbicides, with good science and community awareness.”

Anal intercourse among gay men and other men who have sex with men, as well as between women and men, is recognized as an important driver of the HIV pandemic in many parts of the world. Globally, most anal intercourse is unprotected.

“It is imperative that morality not get in the way of protecting human beings and life; people of every sexual orientation have practiced anal sex since the begining of time”, stated Rick Jones of Amsterdam, representative from the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and IRMA Steering Committee member. “The time for bigotry is over. We need to help those who are not infected stay that way.”

However, research into rectal microbicides has been hampered by a deplorable lack of funding. According to IRMA, in 2006, only US$7 million/year was invested globally in rectal microbicides research. It is conservatively estimated that it will cost a minimum investment of $350 million over the next 10 to 15 years, or roughly $35 million a year to develop a comprehensive rectal microbicide research program. Therefore, annual spending must increase five-fold to ensure timely discovery and development of a rectal microbicide.

“Rectal microbicides are an essential technology that could allow men and women to protect themselves, without fear, without shame, without taboo,” stated Ghana’s Manju Chatani, Coordinator of the African Microbicides Advocacy Group and IRMA Steering Committee member.

Click here to view the presentation delivered by IRMA's Jim Pickett at the Rectal Microbicides Update.

Post-conference, IRMA will hold a teleconference highlighting key presentations. Stay tuned for more details, which will be first announced on the highly active listserv.