Information on Phase III trials, open label extension studies, ring studies involving adolescent girls and young women, and pregnant and breastfeeding women is available below.
- Between 2012 and 2016, IPM and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) conducted two Phase III “sister studies” (called The Ring Study and ASPIRE) to test the ring’s effectiveness. With the help of over 4,500 women participants in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, they found that ring use reduced the rate of new HIV infections by approximately 35 percent overall and by 45 percent among the women who used it at least some of the time. Notably, women older than 21 were more likely than younger women to leave the ring in place. Research is now underway to learn more about how younger women perceive the ring and what might influence their interest in using it.
- MTN-023/IPM-030, or “iMatter” was the first study to evaluate the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring among adolescent girls. iMatter showed that the ring was acceptable and raised no safety concerns among girls under the age of 18 living in the United States. Results from this randomized, placebo-controlled trial were presented at IAS 2017.
- A Leap Forward For the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring, the Next Steps Are Critical — In this episode of Px Pulse from AVAC, we reflect on the decades of research and advocacy that has brought the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring one step closer to becoming available as a discreet, woman-initiated HIV prevention option. Hear five different perspectives on how the ring expands HIV prevention options for women, and the most important next steps to bring the ring to women who need it.