Clinical Trials

Antiretrovirals as Microbicides: Tenofovir (TFV)

Tenofovir (TFV) is a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that prevents viral replication in susceptible cells.  CONRAD, along with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), has been granted a co-exclusive license by Gilead Sciences to develop, manufacture and, if proven effective, distribute TFV in developing countries. 

Efficacy Studies of TFV 1% Gel

CAPRISA 004

CONRAD supervised the manufacture of clinical supplies of TFV 1% gel for CAPRISA 004, a Phase IIb clinical trial in South Africa that showed using TFV 1% gel before and after sex in the BAT24 regimen (one dose of gel within 12 hours before sex and a second dose of gel as soon as possible within 12 hours after sex and no more than two doses in a 24 hour period) reduced a woman’s risk of becoming infected with HIV by 39%. Women who were negative for herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) at the beginning of the trial had a 51% reduced risk of acquiring HSV-2. Because HSV-2 facilitates HIV transmission, preventing HSV-2 infections further reduces a woman’s risk of HIV.

VOICE (MTN-003)

CONRAD supplied TFV 1% gel for the VOICE trial (MTN-003), which was designed to compare the effectiveness of daily oral TFV, daily oral TFV and emtricitabine (FTC), and daily TFV 1% gel for the prevention of HIV. Interim results from VOICE showed that daily oral TFV and daily TFV 1% gel were not effective in preventing HIV. At this time, it is not known why these two forms of TFV were not effective.

FACTS 001

The differing results from the CAPRISA 004 and VOICE trials highlight the need for additional research into TFV 1% gel effectiveness. The CONRAD-sponsored FACTS 001 clinical trial, which began enrolling participants in late 2011, is testing the effectiveness of TFV 1% gel in preventing HIV and HSV-2 infections in more than 2,200 women in South Africa. Participants are using the gel in the same dosing regimen used in CAPRISA 004 (BAT24).

CONRAD Studies of TFV 1% Gel

Pharmacokinetic (PK) Study of TFV 1% Gel

TFV works by inhibiting viral replication in the vagina, making levels of TFV in the vaginal tissue critical to its efficacy. At the same time, low levels of TFV in the blood are preferable to reduce the risk of developing resistance. This CONRAD safety and PK study of TFV 1% vaginal gel in women showed TFV concentrations to be low in blood plasma and high in genital fluids and tissues up to 24 hours following exposure.  

Pharmacokinetic (PK)/Pharmacodynamic (PD) and Safety Study of TFV 1% Gel Used in Three Different Dosing Regimens

An ongoing PK/PD and safety study is assessing the impact of different dosing regimens (modified BAT24 [1 hour before and 1 hour after sex], daily, precoital and postcoital) on TFV levels in the blood and genital tissue. After TFV 1% gel use, anti-HIV and anti-HSV activity will be assessed and the associations between tissue drug concentration and inhibition of HIV and HSV infections will be explored. The effects of TFV 1% gel on vaginal immunity will also be studied.

Influence of Hormonal Contraception and the Menstrual Cycle on PK/PD and Microbicide Safety Endpoints in TFV 1% Gel Users

Alterations in cervicovaginal immunity (innate immunity, inflammation, epithelial integrity and microbiota) may affect the risk of HIV acquisition.  Hormonal contraceptives, particularly long-lasting methods such as Depo-Provera^®, are commonly used in the developing world where risk of HIV infection is greatest, but little is known about their effects on these immune markers. This study is enrolling HIV-negative women who wish to start hormonal contraception. The women will choose to use either Depo-Provera^® or a combined oral contraceptive for 3 months and will also use TFV 1% gel 1 hour before sexual intercourse and 1 hour after. Samples from these participants will be used to assess the effects of these contraceptive methods and the menstrual cycle on the persistence of TFV within the mucosa and on changes in markers of mucosal safety.

PK Study of the Interaction of TFV 1% Gel and Three Commonly Used Vaginal Products

Commonly used vaginal products include antifungal creams (yeast infection treatment), antibacterial gels (bacterial vaginosis treatment) and the contraceptive ring (NuvaRing^®). This study will determine how TFV 1% gel interacts with each of these products, assessing whether local release characteristics and systemic exposure for each product will differ when the products are used simultaneously.  

CONRAD Studies of Other TFV Dosage Forms

PK/PD and Safety Study of TFV Intravaginal Ring

CONRAD’s product development team has developed an intravaginal ring (IVR) capable of releasing TFV at levels comparable to those seen with TFV 1% gel use. The first clinical study of this new 90-day ring will assess safety, PK/PD, HIV-1 infectivity, changes in soluble markers, and acceptability in women using either the TFV IVR or a placebo IVR for 3 months.

PK/PD and Safety Study of TFV and TFV/Emtricitabine (FTC) Vaginal Tablets

Fast-dissolve vaginal tablets with TFV alone and TFV combined with emtricitabine (FTC) will be tested in a clinical trial to assess vaginal and systemic safety, levels of drug in the vaginal tissue and plasma, anti-HIV activity, disintegration time, and acceptability. Women will be randomized to use one of four tablets: TFV, FTC, TFV/FTC, or placebo once a day for 14 days.