Next-Generation Products For Prevention of HIV Infection in Women: Project NIX HIV

The objective of Project NIX HIV was to develop novel long-acting systemic HIV prevention products that were less user-dependent, substantially facilitated adherence, were safe, effective, and easy to administer, and fit into the lifestyles of women, especially young women in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk for HIV infection. These activities included the development of:

• Two next-generation long-acting cabotegravir implantable and injectable products for the prevention of HIV acquisition in women
  • These products are continuing development under Project MATRIX: A USAID Project to Advance the Research and Development of Innovative HIV Prevention Products for Women
• Development of a Human Centered Design-driven implant inserter for easy, low-cost subdermal pellet (or implant) insertion by limited-resource clinics
  • This project is continuing development under Project UChoose: A Personalized Contraception Platform for Women and Providers
• Highly potent antiretroviral prodrug conjugates modified specifically for long-acting HIV prevention
• User-friendly microarray patch delivery systems for the long-acting release of antiretrovirals and broadly neutralizing antibodies
• Discrete choice experiments in sub-Saharan Africa to ascertain end user preferences for long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis products
• A novel point-of-care diagnostic assay for real-time monitoring of ARVs
• Research capacity strengthening in the area of HIV prevention research through in-country and virtual research innovation training series in 8+ African countries

This program is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of CONRAD and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.