The HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) syndemics and the unmet need for modern contraceptive methods continue to pose significant health risks for women and other people worldwide. As awareness of the need to address these interlinked risks has increased, the need for new technologies that combine protection against unintended pregnancy, HIV and other STIs is a growing research priority. Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) are products that simultaneously prevent HIV, other STIs, and/or unintended pregnancy. They have power to revolutionize women's health by providing prevention for multiple indications.
Over the past decade there has been a growing array of new MPT product candidates, with over two dozen currently in active development. As outlined a recent, comprehensive MPT landscape report developed by the Initiative for MPTs (IMPT) with support from Unitaid and CIFF, the MPT pipeline includes vaginal rings, vaginal and rectal gels, vaginal inserts and films, systemic delivery implants, subdermal microarray patches, and oral pills containing contraceptives, HIV prevention and/or other STI prevention drugs. The majority of MPT candidates are in early pre-clinical stages of development by small biotechnology companies and academic labs. These efforts are largely funded by the United States government, primarily the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the same time, a diverse array of supporting agencies (e.g., impact investors, foundations, and governmental agencies) are working together as part of the IMPT’s Supporting Agency Collaboration Committee (SACC) to address priority action areas and gaps to advance this field.
The goal of this Research Topic is to stimulate strategic thinking and action needed to expand MPT product development and advance the most promising MPT candidates to the market despite limited resources for the field. With this in mind, we are seeking papers from MPT product developers and other stakeholders within and external to the MPT field. We are particularly interested in innovative strategies to address the following specific areas:
1. A productive ecosystem of MPT product R&D
o Ecosystem expansion - Part 1: Expanding MPT R&D with a focus on new products
- Expanded pipeline of researchers for expanded product R&D
- Enhanced physical infrastructure for product R&D
- Geographic expansion for MPT R&D in terms of primary researchers and collaborative efforts
- Expanded generic licensing opportunities and geographically broad manufacturing base
o Ecosystem expansion - Part 2: Achieving appropriate funding to support necessary expansion of MPT ecosystem
- Novel and innovative funding and investment approaches to ensure successful development of MPTs through commercialization and scale-up
- Enhanced ability for cost-effective collaborations
2. Improved understanding of reproductive biology for the purpose of new pharmaceutical development for MPT R&D
o Enhanced focus on non-hormonal MPTs
o Enhanced focus on male contraceptive options
o Expanded understanding of cervicovaginal microbiome, pharmacogenomics, etc.
o Expanded understanding of underlying conditions in those likely to use MPTs (e.g. perimenopause; cognitive disabilities; other underlying health issues)
3. Expanded understanding of socio-behavioral research (SBR) considerations among underrepresented groups in MPT research, including
o People under the age of 18
o People with gynecological conditions
o Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations
o Older populations (e.g., perimenopausal women)
o Those known to metabolize drugs differently (e.g., obese individuals, Down syndrome patients)
4. Expanded understanding of market considerations to help ensure successful commercialization and uptake of MPTs, including
o Market segmentation and target segment identification
o Switching between products and triggers estimates
o Demand forecasting
5. Enhanced understanding of innovative approaches for MPT clinical trials that address regulatory and ethical challenges of testing multiple indications in the same trial
We welcome approaches that can stimulate innovation and address MPT field-wide challenges. These may include but are not limited to: drug combination products, long-acting delivery technologies, male contraception, toxicology, pharmacology, market research, etc. Approaches for optimizing technical capacities, enhancing collaborative approaches, and adding rigor to the development process are also sought. Findings from early and later stage clinical research, implementation science research, commentaries, mini-reviews, socio-behavioral research, and systemic reviews are welcomed.
Topic Editor Jim Turpin is a consultant for the USAID U/ Pitt. MATRIX award and NICHD. Topic Editor Ariane Van Der Straten is co-inventor on a pending patent with RTI International. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
The HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) syndemics and the unmet need for modern contraceptive methods continue to pose significant health risks for women and other people worldwide. As awareness of the need to address these interlinked risks has increased, the need for new technologies that combine protection against unintended pregnancy, HIV and other STIs is a growing research priority. Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs) are products that simultaneously prevent HIV, other STIs, and/or unintended pregnancy. They have power to revolutionize women's health by providing prevention for multiple indications.
Over the past decade there has been a growing array of new MPT product candidates, with over two dozen currently in active development. As outlined a recent, comprehensive MPT landscape report developed by the Initiative for MPTs (IMPT) with support from Unitaid and CIFF, the MPT pipeline includes vaginal rings, vaginal and rectal gels, vaginal inserts and films, systemic delivery implants, subdermal microarray patches, and oral pills containing contraceptives, HIV prevention and/or other STI prevention drugs. The majority of MPT candidates are in early pre-clinical stages of development by small biotechnology companies and academic labs. These efforts are largely funded by the United States government, primarily the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the same time, a diverse array of supporting agencies (e.g., impact investors, foundations, and governmental agencies) are working together as part of the IMPT’s Supporting Agency Collaboration Committee (SACC) to address priority action areas and gaps to advance this field.
The goal of this Research Topic is to stimulate strategic thinking and action needed to expand MPT product development and advance the most promising MPT candidates to the market despite limited resources for the field. With this in mind, we are seeking papers from MPT product developers and other stakeholders within and external to the MPT field. We are particularly interested in innovative strategies to address the following specific areas:
1. A productive ecosystem of MPT product R&D
o Ecosystem expansion - Part 1: Expanding MPT R&D with a focus on new products
- Expanded pipeline of researchers for expanded product R&D
- Enhanced physical infrastructure for product R&D
- Geographic expansion for MPT R&D in terms of primary researchers and collaborative efforts
- Expanded generic licensing opportunities and geographically broad manufacturing base
o Ecosystem expansion - Part 2: Achieving appropriate funding to support necessary expansion of MPT ecosystem
- Novel and innovative funding and investment approaches to ensure successful development of MPTs through commercialization and scale-up
- Enhanced ability for cost-effective collaborations
2. Improved understanding of reproductive biology for the purpose of new pharmaceutical development for MPT R&D
o Enhanced focus on non-hormonal MPTs
o Enhanced focus on male contraceptive options
o Expanded understanding of cervicovaginal microbiome, pharmacogenomics, etc.
o Expanded understanding of underlying conditions in those likely to use MPTs (e.g. perimenopause; cognitive disabilities; other underlying health issues)
3. Expanded understanding of socio-behavioral research (SBR) considerations among underrepresented groups in MPT research, including
o People under the age of 18
o People with gynecological conditions
o Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations
o Older populations (e.g., perimenopausal women)
o Those known to metabolize drugs differently (e.g., obese individuals, Down syndrome patients)
4. Expanded understanding of market considerations to help ensure successful commercialization and uptake of MPTs, including
o Market segmentation and target segment identification
o Switching between products and triggers estimates
o Demand forecasting
5. Enhanced understanding of innovative approaches for MPT clinical trials that address regulatory and ethical challenges of testing multiple indications in the same trial
We welcome approaches that can stimulate innovation and address MPT field-wide challenges. These may include but are not limited to: drug combination products, long-acting delivery technologies, male contraception, toxicology, pharmacology, market research, etc. Approaches for optimizing technical capacities, enhancing collaborative approaches, and adding rigor to the development process are also sought. Findings from early and later stage clinical research, implementation science research, commentaries, mini-reviews, socio-behavioral research, and systemic reviews are welcomed.
Topic Editor Jim Turpin is a consultant for the USAID U/ Pitt. MATRIX award and NICHD. Topic Editor Ariane Van Der Straten is co-inventor on a pending patent with RTI International. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.