8 December 2017

The nonprofit International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) announced today that it has received a DKK 20 million (USD 3.2 million) award over four years from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advance innovative HIV and multipurpose prevention products designed to empower women with self-initiated tools they could use to protect their sexual and reproductive health. The grant will help support IPM’s regulatory submission process and potential product introduction for the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring, which IPM developed with support from previous Danish government funding and other donors.

The ring is designed to meet the urgent need for a discreet, long-acting option for women, who insert and replace the ring themselves every month. In 2016, the ring became the first microbicide and first long-acting product shown to reduce women’s HIV risk in two large clinical trials.

“We are working toward a future where women have the range of safe, effective and affordable prevention options they need to stay healthy and HIV-free, and we applaud the Denmark government’s investment in that shared vision,” said Dr. Zeda Rosenberg, IPM’s founder and CEO. “Today’s announcement underscores the importance of partnership in empowering women with innovative solutions to protect their sexual and reproductive health.”

Read the full article online here.