Dear MPT Insiders,

As we enter the last quarter of the year, activities at the Secretariat and in the MPT field are only ramping up! The 2023 National Contraception Meeting will take place in Houston, USA this November with a dedicated MPT-focused workshop immediately following. If you have not already registered, please be sure to before 29 September!

In addition to the completion of our annual database update, we are pleased to share with you numerous MPT-relevant publications, opportunities, funding, and events. 

As always, thank you for your continued partnership with the IMPT,

Bethany, Christine, Clara, Madison, & Nancy

Annual Database Update & New Inactive Product Database

This month, we completed the annual update of our MPT Product Development Database thanks to input from our product development partners and our team’s efforts conducting a desk review of the current pipeline. As of September 2023, the database features the 24 MPT product candidates currently funded and in active development, spanning a range of delivery types and indications. Use the search engine or the downloadable PDF tables on our Database homepage to see what’s in this dynamic R&D pipeline right now. 

Along with the MPT Product Database, we are excited to introduce an addition to our database housing MPT product candidates that are no longer in active development! 

The database is updated on a rolling basis throughout the year. Please contact us to share product updates with us at any time!

2023 MATRIX Investigators Meeting

As a part of the USAID-funded MATRIX project, members of the CAMI Health staff joined other MATRIX partners in Johannesburg, South Africa for the 2023 Investigators Meeting. MATRIX aims to expedite the research and development of HIV prevention products for women – including products designed to protect against both HIV and pregnancy – that in addition to being safe and effective, will be acceptable, affordable, scalable and deliverable in the settings where they are needed most. It was a wonderful  experience to meet and collaborate with our global partners in person!

Women’s Health Innovation Summit 2023

Earlier this month, the Women’s Health Innovation Summit held their annual meeting in Boston, USA.

This year’s conference focused on advocacy, access, and action in line with industry needs. As a part of the Policy meets Patient Advocacy: Giving our Patient a Voice panel, CAMI Health's Executive Director, Bethany Young Holt, discussed investor advocacy and the importance of working collectively and across geographies, alongside fellow panelists from the American Medical Women’s Association, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Briah Foundation, and Forbes Tate Partners. It was also great to see MPT product developer, Lisa Rohan, on a WHIS panel highlighting innovation in the MPT and HIV R&D prevention fields.

New! Let's Talk MPTs Webinar: Diversifying Funding Streams for MPT R&D

If you missed it, our most recent "Let's Talk MPTs" webinar is now available on-demand on the IMPT website! The webinar kick-started a discussion around the diverse potential funding and investment opportunities and considerations to help advance the multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) field, from industry, investment funds, to government and multilaterals. Featured discussants included Daniel Johnston (NIH/NICHD), Diana Torgersen (Organon), Jenny Yip (Adjuvant Capital), and Ben Light (UNFPA).

MPT Research Articles

Strategic actions to advance multipurpose prevention technologies in low- and middle-income countries. Young Holt et al. (2023). Frontiers in Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1150857

Uptake of a patient-centred dynamic choice model for HIV prevention in rural Kenya and Uganda: SEARCH SAPPHIRE study. Kabami et al. (2023). JIAS. doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26121

Voluntary licensing of long-acting HIV prevention and treatment regimens: using a proven collaboration- and competition-based mechanism to rapidly expand at-scale, sustainable, quality-assured and affordable supplies in LMICs. Gaayeb et al. (2023). JIAS. doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26092

Systematic review of the values and preferences regarding the use of injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV acquisition. Lorenzetti et al. (2023). JIAS. doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26107

Physicochemical considerations in the formulation development of silicone elastomer vaginal rings releasing 5-nitroimidazole drugs for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Zhao et al. (2023). International Journal of Pharmaceutics. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123296

Tenofovir vaginal film as a potential MPT product against HIV-1 and HSV-2 acquisition: formulation development and preclinical assessment in non-human primates. Patel et al. (2023). Frontiers in Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1217835

End-to-end approach to ensuring equitable access to multipurpose prevention technologies in low- and middle-income countries. Cameron et al. (2023). Frontiers in Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1238813

Exploring user and stakeholder perspectives from South Africa and Uganda to refine microarray patch development for HIV PrEP delivery and as a multipurpose prevention technology. Ismail et al. (2023). PLoS ONE. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0290568

Fundamentals of HIV Medicine 2023. Hardy & The American Academy of HIV Medicine. (2023). Oxford University Press. doi.org/10.1093/med/9780197679098.001.0001

Biomedical, socio-behavioral, and implementation science gaps in multipurpose prevention technology research. Cummins et al. (2023). Frontiers in Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1244659

Program impact and potential pitfalls of multi-purpose technologies (MPTs) for HIV prevention and contraception. Latka et al. (2023). Frontiers in Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.3389/frph.2023.1249979

Attitudes Toward Menstrual Suppression Among Cyclic and Continuous Contraceptive Vaginal Ring Users in Kenya. Walker et al. (2023). Journal of Family & Reproductive Health. doi.org/10.18502/jfrh.v17i3.13534

pH-triggered polymeric nanoparticles in gel for preventing vaginal transmission of HIV and unintended pregnancy. Fernandes et al. (2023). European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.09.001

Next generation 3D-printed intravaginal ring for prevention of HIV and unintended pregnancy. Young et al. (2023). Biomaterials. doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122260

Performing a landscape analysis: understanding health product research and development. A quick guide. (2023). World Health Organization. 

SwiftPharma and the Population Council Pursue Agreement to Manufacture Griffithsin Needed for the Development of a Fast-Dissolving Insert for Protection Against HIV. (2023). BiopharmaDive.

(Citric acid + lactic acid + potassium bitartrate) by Evofem Biosciences for Bacterial Vaginosis: Likelihood of Approval. (2023). Pharmaceutical Technology.

Celanese Announces Agreement with the Population Council for Sustained Release Dual-API Therapeutic. (2023). Business Wire. 

Celanese (CE) Inks Deal With Population Council for VitalDose. (2023). Yahoo Finance. 

Celanese Announces Agreement with the Population Council for Sustained Release Dual-API Therapeutic. (2023). Population Council.

October 8-11, 2023 | HLTH 2023 (Las Vegas, USA + virtual)

Now in its 6th year, HLTH is the preeminent event for healthcare and wellness innovation, pushing boundaries to transform the next decade of health. This conference aims to unite the entire healthcare ecosystem while simultaneously creating micro-experiences tailored for each and every participant. Registration for HLTH will remain open until 7 October.

October 16-20, 2023 | 20th Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition General Membership Meeting (Accra, Ghana)

The 20th General Membership Meeting of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition will meet this October in Ghana. These meetings enable Coalition members and guests from around the world to renew ties, share ideas, work, and learn of new developments in the field of reproductive health commodity security. Standard registration closes 30 September.

October 23, 2023 | 2023 Life Sciences Innovation Showcase (New York, USA) 

The 2023 Life Sciences Innovation Showcase by Springboard will gather women driving innovation within the life sciences sector from their most recent Life Sciences cohort. This is an exciting opportunity to hear directly from female innovators, collaborate, and connect. Registration is free and required.

October 28-30, 2023 | The Society of Family Planning Annual Conference (Seattle, USA)

Gathering experts across the field of family planning, the annual Society of Family Planning Conference will take place this October. With discussion focused on abortion and contraception science, experts in the field will exchange the latest in family planning research and ideas to move the field forward.  

November 13-14, 2023 | 3rd International Conference on Nursing and Women's Healthcare (Dubai, UAE) 

Nursing Conferences 2023 is a premier interdisciplinary forum for all Directors, Specialists, Professors, Doctors, Scientists, Academicians, Nurses, Gynecologists, Women’s Health Specialists, Healthcare Professionals, Students, Researchers, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Public Health practitioners and Clinical researchers. Nursing 2023 will give a platform for prominent experts to gather and share their innovative ideas in the field of Nursing Research. Submit abstracts for oral, poster, and video presentation categories in the following link.

November 13-16, 2023 | 2023 National Contraception Meeting & MPT Workshop (Houston, USA + virtual)

The 2023 National Contraception Meeting aims to provide an annual update on the state of contraception research from grantees from the Contraception Research Branch (CRB) of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Male Contraceptive Initiative, and various scientists in the field. This year will have a special focus on MPTs, with an MPT-focused workshop immediately following! Online registration will remain open until 29 September.

December 4-9, 2023 | International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (Harare, Zimbabwe + virtual)

This hybrid conference will focus on HIV, AIDS, STIs, and other emerging diseases as they relate to Africa under the theme of AIDS is Not Over: Address inequalities, accelerate inclusion and innovation. Registration has been extended until the end of September.

Webinar

October 5, 2023 | DoxyPEP Implementation – All Systems Go? 

The Choice Agenda and the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) will host a webinar to discuss the roll out of Doxycycline as STI PEP for helping gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women reduce bacterial STIs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Register today! 

Funding Opportunities

A few current opportunities can be found below. See other available opportunities here.

Chemical Screening and Optimization Facility (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This funding opportunity from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) will provide investigators with a mechanism to request services from this facility that would advance their contraceptive or reproductive health related development program. The long-term objective is to enable a preclinical candidate for IND/IDE study(ies) that offers a safe therapeutic option in the field of contraception, and/or reproductive health related indications. Additional details can be found here or at www.GRANTS.gov by searching within “Search Grants” for Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-193, then clicking on the opportunity number.

• Funding Opportunity #: PAR-23-193
• Open Date: 03 September 2023
• Letters of Intent Due: 30 days prior to application receipt date
• Next Application Due: 03 October 2023

Improving Choice, Use, and Equitable Implementation of Biomedical HIV Prevention for Women (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

This funding opportunity from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) will support projects with the aim to understand factors that impact uptake and adherent and persistent use of biomedical HIV prevention options, to inform and advance approaches to support choice and use among these options, and to understand and advance equitable delivery of biomedical HIV prevention options for cisgender and transgender women in settings where multiple prevention options are available. Additional details can be found here or at www.GRANTS.gov by searching within “Search Grants” for Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): RFA-MH-24-160, then clicking on the opportunity number.

• NOFO #: RFA-MH-24-160
• Open Date: 22 October 2023
• Letters of Intent Due: 30 days prior to application receipt date
• Next Application Due: 22 November 2023

*Also see Companion Funding Opportunities: RFA-MH-24-162 (R34 Planning Grant) and RFA-MH-24-161 (R21 Exploratory/Developmental Grant)

Next Generation Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (NGM) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) 

This funding opportunity from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will support the continued development of new and innovative on-demand, event-driven, and long-acting multipurpose prevention technologies. Applications may involve MPT development, as well as socio-behavioral studies on end-user preferences and other factors that could promote increased MPT adoption and use. Additional details can be found here or at www.GRANTS.gov by searching within “Search Grants” for Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-22-222, then clicking on the opportunity number.

• Funding Opportunity #: PAR-22-222
• Open Date: 07 November 2022
• Letters of Intent Due: Not applicable
• Next Application Due: 07 December 2023

Multipurpose Prevention Technology: Novel Systemic Options for Young Adults (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This funding opportunity from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) will support the development of new and innovative long-acting systemic and non-systemic multipurpose prevention technologies (MPT). The FOA includes support for the development and/or acceptability of MPTs in adolescent and young women. Additional details can be found here or at www.GRANTS.gov by searching within “Search Grants” for Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-21-297, then clicking on the opportunity number.

• Funding Opportunity #: PAR-21-297
• Open Date: 09 November 2021
• Letters of Intent Due: 30 days prior to application receipt date
• Next Application Due: 09 December 2023

Biological Testing Facility (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This funding opportunity from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) will provide investigators with a mechanism to request services from this facility that would advance their contraceptive development program. This NOFO aims to position innovative and validated methods for future clinical development. Additional details can be found here or at www.GRANTS.gov by searching within “Search Grants” for Funding Opportunity Number: PAR-23-192, then clicking on the opportunity number.

• Funding Opportunity #: PAR-23-192
• Open Date: 30 April 2023
• Letters of Intent Due: Not applicable
• Next Application Due: 02 January 2024

Fellowship & Career Opportunities

Are you interested in career pathways in MPT research? See resources here!

Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Contraception and Infertility Research

This upcoming opportunity from the NIH invites qualified health professionals who contractually agree to engage in NIH mission-relevant research for an average of at least 20 hours each week for at least two years, initially, to apply for an award in the Extramural LRP. The Extramural LRP repays up to $50,000 annually of a researcher's qualified educational debt in return for a commitment to engage in NIH mission-relevant research at a domestic, nonprofit, or government entity.

Extramural LRP applications will be accepted from September 1 until November 16, 2023. See here for more information about this opportunity.