HIV prevention trials halted on safety concerns

Polydex Pharmaceuticals has stopped two trials of a microbicide gel after a health organization involved in a trial found that it was linked to a higher risk of HIV infection. A second trial of the HIV therapy Ushercell was also halted in Nigeria due to the safety concerns. Researchers said they would conduct a detailed review.

"It was our hope that this product would have helped women in protecting themselves from HIV," says Dr. Lut Van Damme, principal investigator. "While the findings are unexpected and disappointing, we will learn scientifically important information from this trial that will inform future HIV prevention research."

- see the release

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