Description

Biosyn is developing a number of microbicides for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including chlamydia, genital herpes and papilloma virus. Each of these compounds is in a different stage of development, with the company's leading microbicide candidate, Savvy (1.0% C31G vaginal gel) entering Phase III clinical trials early in 2003 for contraception, HIV prevention, and prevention of other STDs. Biosyn's receipt of the $10 million grant from the NIH not only ensures the swift progression of CV-N into clinical trials, it is also validation of the company's strategy to develop multiple microbicide candidates in parallel, with the goal of bringing to market one or more microbicides as expeditiously as possible over the next several years. With over 5.3 million people having acquired HIV in the year 2001 alone, there is an urgent need for a microbicide to curb the onslaught of this pandemic as well as provide women with a means of protecting themselves from STDs.