Durban researchers spearhead HIV breakthrough

AHEAD of World Aids Day yesterday, a Durban research facility announced a major breakthrough in preventing new infections, which is just months away from human trials.

The Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in SA (Caprisa) has done trials on animals using a matchsticksized implant containing tenofovir alafenamide, a more potent version of the ARV drug tenofovir.

Professor Salim Abdool Karim, of Caprisa’s scientific advisory board, said they had previously showed that the drug protected women from being infected with HIV if used in a gel form. However, the gel was difficult to use. And although tenofovir was available in tablets, it was difficult for young women to take them every day, he said.

“We are now taking tenofovir alafenamide and putting this in an implant. We took the idea from the contraceptive implant.” |