The Alliance for Microbicide Development is a global, nonprofit organization dedicated to speeding the development of safe, effective, and affordable microbicides to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Founded in 1998 as an agent of change at a time when progress toward microbicides was slow, fragmented, and severely under-funded, the Alliance has worked for the past decade to forge links among all constituencies for whom microbicides are a priority, and create a culture of open dialogue and collaboration in order to advance common goals.
Now an organization that supports hundreds of scientists, clinicians, product developers, public health organizations and experts, small bio-pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, and advocacy groups, the Alliance continues to nurture and influence the microbicide field through evidence-based advocacy, education, convening, monitoring, research, and analysis.
The Alliance envisions a world in which all individuals have the power and tools they need to protect themselves from HIV and other STIs. Female-controlled prevention options are particularly needed since women are becoming newly infected with HIV at higher rates than men and in many situations cannot control or negotiate their own protection. Microbicides are technologies being developed in a variety of forms, such as topical gels, creams, tablets, films, oral pills, alone or in combination with cervical barriers, rings, condoms, and ancillary devices, to prevent sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs. Once shown to be safe and effective, microbicides could be an inexpensive and readily available HIV/STI prevention option for individuals worldwide.
