New HIV prevention methods are urgently needed; worldwide, millions of individuals are infected each year. To help stop the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the Council is developing new, user-controlled prevention methods called microbicides that will allow men and women to protect themselves from infection. Council researchers are also investigating multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) that will allow women to prevent unintended pregnancy as well as HIV and other STIs.
The Council's approach to product development covers the entire product development lifecycle, from basic science, to clinical testing and behavioral research, to product introduction and public education.
At the Council’s Center for Biomedical Research, Council researchers study the basic science of HIV transmission to discover novel ways to stop the virus. The technologies currently in development are designed to have multiple uses.
The Council’s field research increases the understanding of how women and men may use these products. Strong regulatory and intellectual property strategies ensure that products are safe, effective, and affordable. A world-class panel of experts from the academic, nonprofit, and industry sectors provides guidance and feedback on product development. And the Council supports strategic introduction and thoughtful scale-up of effective technologies once they become available.