Viva Gel

Viva Gel is a sexual lubricant with anti-viral properties manufactured by Australian pharmaceutical company Starpharma. It has passed through animal testing phases of the Drug Approval Process in Australia and the United States. Initial human safety tests are to ensue. The NIH and NIAID have awarded grants totaling $25.7 million for VivaGel's continued development and testing.

Experimental results to date indicate an approximate 85-100% effectiveness at blocking transmission of the HIV and Herpes viruses.

Viva Gel's potential benefits could in particular provide an extra resource to mitigate the current Sub-Saharan Africa AIDS pandemic.

Mechanism of Action

Viva Gel contains a dendrimer molecule, chemicals that bind to viruses and prevent them from affecting an organism's cells.

It purportedly is applied by the male to himself just prior to potential sexual activity.

VivaGel is also being evaluated for use in condoms by a leading manufacturer.

ee also

Microbicide

References

[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22127964-5001028,00.html?from=public_rss Daily Telegraph c/o Australian News Network]