August 12, 2009

Utah Researchers Make Progress on “Molecular Condom”

Scientists at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City are developing a unique vaginal gel, dubbed a “molecular condom,” which could be tested on humans in the next few years, the Deseret News reports.

According to the article, the substance is inserted into the vagina before sex and turns solid in the presence of semen, protecting vaginal tissue by trapping HIV particles in a microscopic mesh.

“We did it to develop technologies that can enable women to protect themselves against HIV without approval of their partner,” said bioengineering professor Patrick Kiser, PhD. “This is important—particularly in resource-poor areas of the world like sub-Sahara Africa and south Asia, where, in some age groups, as many as 60 percent of women already are infected with HIV. In these places, women often are not empowered to force their partners to wear a condom.”

Older versions of the contraceptive were inserted as a liquid, turned to a gel to coat the vaginal cavity and turned liquid again in the presence of semen to release an anti-HIV drug. This method was ineffective, either because the drugs were not strong enough or did not last long enough or because patients did not use them correctly. High temperatures in Africa also prevented the gel from liquefying and adequately coating the vagina.

Kiser adds that while the product is being researched for developing countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must approve it, and it is likely that a pharmaceutical company will market the drug in the United States as well.

Search: vaginal gel, molecular condom, University of Utah, semen, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Food and Drug Administration, United States

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

Lora Alstrom, pasadena,ca., 2009-08-13 16:02:10
the lack of funding for edjucation i feel would play a key role in the use of this method. it could very well backfire.Poz. women may think they cant spread there HIV with non HIV Partners by using this gel. Who is going to edjucate all these people and where are the funds going to come from to edjucate this method.

Joao Marinho, Brazil, 2009-08-13 15:15:04
Why are there so many researches about avoiding HIV transmission between straight couples, and I don't see the same number about gay ones? The organizations say that gays have higher risk to HIV. I think we must have more research about this via of transmission...