MATRIX Project to Advance the Research and Development of Innovative HIV Prevention Products for Women
CAPRISA Senior Scientist Dr Leila Mansoor hosted a delegation from the USAID’s Microbicides Branch on 22nd September at CAPRISA’s eThekwini Clinical Research site where the first MATRIX Phase I Clinical trial (MATRIX 001 – Tenofovir alafenamide/elvitegravir vaginal insert) will be conducted, together with a site in Kenya and the United States. The USAID delegation, Dr Mary Latka (Microbicides Branch Chief), Dr Chelsea Solmo (Health Science Specialist) and Dr Antoinette Nelson (Technical Advisor) also met with Professor Salim Abdool Karim at CAPRISA’s headquarters.
MATRIX, is a 5-year Project to Advance the Research and Development of Innovative HIV Prevention Products for Women, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation (MWRIF).
“The aim is to develop a range of HIV prevention products which are acceptable, affordable, scalable, and deliverable and meet the unmet needs of women at risk of HIV infection through equitable North-South partnerships and rigorous evaluation of project research and development (R&D) activities,” explained Mansoor.
Photo: The Epidemiology and Prevention team at the CAPRISA eThekwini Research site with officials from USAID’s Microbicides Branch. In the photo: third row, fourth from the left Dr Mary Latka, Branch Chief; Front Row first from the left Dr Leila Mansoor Senior Scientist, CAPRISA; second row, second from the far right Dr Chelsea Solmo, Health Science Specialist; and in the second row far right Dr Antoinette Nelson, Technical Advisor.