Designing a new vaginal prophylaxis for the release of biocompatible polymeric virucides

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The prevention of sexually transmitted viral infections such as, human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and human papilloma virus (HPV) for example, is important globally. These viruses can have life threatening and/or life altering effects and many are not currently treatable. Prevention rather than treatment is the best approach to dealing with sexually transmitted viral infections. Where vaccines are available, infection rates can be significantly reduced. For those viruses that have no vaccine, prevention via other means is necessary. One approach often considered, but not yet implemented successfully for sexually transmitted infections, is the use of vaginal inserts to release antivirals prophylactically. The current state-of-the-art anti-HIV prophylaxis is a vaginal ring insert that releases an anti-retroviral (ARV) drug, which has seen only limited success in Phase-III trials. These antivirals are only effective after infection, are inherently toxic and lead to viruses developing drug resistance, raising concerns that long-term prophylaxis use may lead to drug resistant viral strains.Through the use of 'kill on contact' antiviral polymers (Polycides) (which have recently been developed in the Jones Lab) it will be possible to tackle the problem of transmission using an entirely new approach. As a prophylaxis our Polycides breakthrough will function before infection occurs meaning there is no opportunity for resistance to develop. This project will focus on the design of a new hydrogel-based long-term delivery system for these polycides, the study of the release profiles and the in-vitro studies to show protection of cells from viral infection.