First condom designed to kill HIV 'could be available to buy within months'

The VivaGel condom is the brainchild of Australian bio-tech firm Starpharma

Gel in lubricant found to be 99.9% effective at deactivating HIV, herpes and human papilloma virus cases

Received approval by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration - similar to a CE mark in Europe

Firms behind the condom say it could be available within months

A new condom designed to kill the HIV virus could be available to buy within months, after key regulatory approval.

Tests have shown the VivaGel condom is effective in deactivating 99.9 per cent of HIV, herpes and human papilloma virus cases.

Australian bio-tech firm Starpharma has developed the antiviral Viva Gel, the active ingredient designed to tackle sexually transmitted infections, in the condom's lubricant.

The product has now received a receipt of Conformity of Assessment Certification by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration - a similar certificate to the CE mark in Europe - paving the way for mass production.

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A new condom, designed by the Australian bio-technic firm Starpharma, to kill the HIV virus could be available to buy within months after it received vital approval. Stock image

It means the condom, the first of its kind, should be on the shelves available to buy in the coming months.

The condoms are lubricated with VivaGel, which contains 0.5 per cent astodrimer sodium - a non-antibiotic, antimicrobial drug designed specifically as a compound against HIV.

It is hoped the gel will help reduce the transmission of HIV and other STIs, while also reducing the risk of pregnancy.

 

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Starpharma is working in partnership with Ansell, who are responsible for around 70 per cent of Australia's condom market.

President and general manager of the sexual wellness global business unit, Peter Carroll, said consumers can expect to see the ' ground-breaking new sexual health' product on the shelves soon.

'Ansell looks forward to rolling out its marketing and sales campaign to support the launch of LifeStyles Dual Protect™ over the coming months with the first product expected to be available on shelves soon,' he said.

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The VivaGel condom, contains VivaGel in the lubricant. Tests have shown the gel is effective at deactivating 99.9 per cent of HIV, pictured under the microscope, herpes and human pappilloma virus cases

'Our partnership with Starpharma is a great example of two highly innovative Australian businesses working together to bring to market a ground-breaking new sexual health product. 

'New product development is central to Ansell’s business strategy and this highly innovative product is exciting for both companies.'

In Australia the prevalence of STIs continues to rise.

Genital herpes, caused by HSV, is estimated to affect one in eight Australians aged 25 years and over, although many people carry the infection but are unaware and so pass it on without knowing.

The rate of newly diagnosed HIV infections rose 10 per cent in the 12 months to the end of 2012 - the largest increase in Australia in the last 20 years.

And figures reveal the number of infections diagnosed in 2013 remains at a 20-year high, representing a 70 per cent increase on the number detected in 1999, when cases were at their lowest level.

The recent TGA approval came after the condom was assessed in line with a set of requirements relating to safety and performance.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2699944/World-HIV-killing-condom-available-buy-months.html#ixzz387CcfOat 
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