The first HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trial for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe is about to launch, according to a statement by ANRS (French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis). This Phase III trial—ANRS IPERGAY—will start at the end of January 2012 in Paris and Lyon, France, and later in Montreal, Canada. The trial will include 300 volunteers in the pilot phase and ultimately 1,900 total. ANRS IPERGAY will involve HIV-negative MSM and transgender participants who have anal sex with men and don’t routinely use condoms, and who had at least two different sexual partners in the six months before joining the trial. Participation will last from 12 months to 48 months.

To read ANRS release, click here