Microbicides 2008

24-27 February 2008 │ New Delhi, India

Coverage of Microbicides 2008

Over 1000 international delegates assembled at the Microbicides 2008 conference in New Delhi, India on 24-27 February to exchange information on the latest developments and advances in microbicide research and advocacy. The Alliance issued a special News Alert of selected news coverage of the event. Read More

Daily Scientific Updates Issued By the Conference

• 24 February 2008 - Scientific Update
• 25 February 2008 - Scientific Update
• 26 February 2008 - Scientific Update
• 27 February 2008 - Scientific Update

Conference Information

Website: http://www.microbicides2008.com/

Program, Abstracts & Speakers
View Program

Overview
The Microbicides 2008 Conference, held in New Delhi, India on 24-27 February 2008, provided updates on the current state of microbicide research, development, and advocacy. In addition to featuring novel basic research and innovative advances in product development, presentations also focused on progress in the areas of microbicide ethics, clinical research, socio-behavioral and epidemiological research, accessibility, and acceptability.

Track A: Basic Sciences

• Sexual transmission of HIV: New findings
• Innate and adaptive immunity: Role in HIV mucosal acquisition and control
• Latest developments in biomarkers and in vitro models of efficacy and safety
• Animal models: Current status and latest data
• Emerging microbicide candidates
• Biological role of STIs in HIV transmission
• Formulation and delivery strategies

Track B: Clinical

• Empirical findings of Phase I and II clinical trials of new microbicide products including rectal microbicides
• Adherence and compliance to trial procedures and product use: measurement, strategies, impact on retention and recruitment
• Effectiveness trial status and presentation of baseline participant data
• Alternative microbicide strategies and the role of STIs in HIV prevention
• Barrier method strategies
• Testing methods/ algorithms for measuring HIV end-points including HIV incidence
• Alternative microbicide efficacy trials designs

Track C: Socio-Behavioral

• Acceptability: initiation and use of various microbicide formulations and delivery mechanisms in different geographic settings and populations. Discussion of theoretical frameworks to examine acceptability encouraged
• Adherence: including development of adherence-related measures, triangulation of data collection methods and/or analysis procedures, use of social science theory and/or research methods to boost adherence within trials - or in future service delivery settings
• Rectal Microbicides: prevalence of anal sex in men and women; acceptability of microbicide gel for rectal use
• Male Involvement in Microbicide Research: partner consent for trial participation; male acceptability of microbicides; influence of trial participation and microbicide use on sexual partnerships
• Social Science Research on Standards of Care: participant and/or community research on attitudes towards SOC levels, research on ethics and informed consent issues
• Supporting Clinical Trials: social science research on recruitment, informed consent, retention, assessing adherence, closing out trials
• Access to Microbicides beyond Clinical Trials: focus on how providers, product costs and service delivery mechanisms may influence microbicide accessibility, acceptability and use in a post-marketing situation. Drawing lessons from other HIV prevention research studies

Track D Policy, Advocacy and Community

Policy

• Policies that support microbicide development and research, and access.
• Involvement of positive people and their role in developing and implementing policy (and research)
• Standards of prevention, treatment and care for trial participants - policy issues

Advocacy

• Microbicides advocacy aimed at a variety of stakeholders?women, policy makers, trial communities, donors, people with HIV, etc.
• Preparing stakeholders for research results
• Ensuring rapid access to proven microbicide products
• Standards of prevention, treatment and care for trial participants - advocacy issues
• Mobilizing relevant partners (policy makers, donors, agencies, media etc) to support

Community:

• Community mobilization, preparedness and involvement - creating effective partnerships
• Community Advisory Boards
• Defining, understanding and involving the community
• Mobilizing communities for microbicides
• Working with the media