PRE-CLINICAL AND CLINICAL MULTIPURPOSE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGIES

Investigators

Abstract

NICHD supports a broad range of contraceptive research, including efforts to develop male contraceptives and Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs). MPT products that prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) would increase sexual and reproductive health options for both women and men. MPTs are composed of a combination of drugs that can target prevention of pregnancy, STIs and/or HIV, delivered using either an on-demand and event-driven or long-acting drug delivery system (DDS) with rheological/biophysical properties and product user perceptions (look, feel, effectiveness, safety and duration of action) that support user uptake (first use, subsequent use and habitual use). By combining prevention products for pregnancy and HIV or STI, the MPT may have a greater uptake and adherence than individual products. Key to the concept of MPTs is creation of DDS to support convenience of use, that not only are safe and deliver the drugs consistently but have durations of action relevant to the user needs. MPTs (contraceptive and non-contraceptive) may encompass a wide range of delivery durations and use patterns from on demand, event-driven or sustained/extended-release durations (months to years).