Pushing the frontiers of science - the Population Council's Microbicide Basic Science Network on vaginal microbicide research

Microbicides are the new frontier of products for the prevention of sexuall y transmitted infections (STIs). Twelve years ago, scientists realized that existing spermicides had some anti-microbial activity and perhaps could be improved or reformulated with new compounds to provide a complete barrier against STIs. However, the development and successful marketing of an effec tive, non-toxic, convenient and affordable vaginal microbicide that women c an use on a long-term basis hinges on a close collaboration between researc h institutions and the pharmaceutical industry. The Population Council has recently taken the first step in instituting a multifaceted strategy for th e development of a microbicide by establishing the Microbicide Basic Scienc e Network, comprising of scientists with diverse backgrounds and expertize. (C) 1999 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.