Collaboration announced for development of a microarray patch for HIV PrEP

Collaborative work on the development of a novel drug delivery system involving a team at Queen’s University Belfast may offer hope to reducing rates of HIV infection in those that are at high risk, it has been announced.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at high risk of HIV infection involves the patient taking daily HIV medicines in order to lower the chance of them becoming infected. Although this form of preventive treatment is effective there can be issues around patient compliance.

The team at Queen’s, along with PATH, ViiV Healthcare, the Population Council and LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme, will collaborate on the development of a novel microarray patch for HIV PrEP ready for future clinical trials. Additionally, the consortium will work with women and healthcare workers in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda in the design of the microarray patch that best meets their needs.

“This exciting project is very much in line with the research ethos of the university, which is centred on global challenges. HIV remains a global health emergency,” stated Professor Ryan Donnelly, from the School of Pharmacy, who is leading the project for Queen’s. “By developing a risk-free delivery system that could help prevent HIV transmission, our partnership stands to change the lives of people across the world, especially those in the world’s poorest countries.”

A grant worth over $10 million is being provided by USAID for this research project — USAID is the lead US government agency that provides support for integrated HIV/AIDS interventions to achieve epidemic control.

The patch should be ready for clinical trials by the end of this advanced three-year pre-clinical programme.