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Innovative prevention for women's health – the promise of MPTs
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Initiative for Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (IMPT)
Summer 2016 Newsletter |
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Dear Colleagues, 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) field. In the product development realm, several potential MPTs (highlighted below) continue to look promising as they progress through the development pipeline. Meanwhile, on the policy and advocacy side, MPTs were included in the World Health Organization's recently released Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2016 – 2021. This is an exciting step forward for this field as we continue to advance awareness of and support for these critical technologies. The IMPT Secretariat has been hard at work over the past several months, presenting at priority conferences, meeting with new potential partners, developing technical meetings, and completing projects that address the complex technological and social-behavioral challenges related to successful MPT development and introduction. At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to improving the health of women and adolescent girls, who account for a disproportionate number of new HIV infections and unintended pregnancies. Towards this end, we are working to advance an R&D paradigm that prioritizes the input of women and girls so that MPTs are not only clinically safe and efficacious, but also desired, acceptable, and accessible to the women and girls who need them most. The coming months promise more exciting developments for MPTs, and as Secretariat, we will continue our work to raise critical issues, facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, and catalyze strategic next steps for the field. We look forward to the ongoing commitment and support of you, our global partners, in our efforts to put the needs of women and girls at the center of this exciting prevention field. |
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Sincerely,  Bethany Young Holt, PhD MPH
Director | Initiative for MPTs
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The IMPT Receives $4.49 Million U.S. Government Award to support MPTs
We are thrilled to share that the IMPT has received a sole–source, five–year, $4.49 million award from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support our efforts to advance MPTs. Please see our press release for more information, and feel free to share this exciting news with your colleagues and networks.
We are incredibly grateful to USAID for this opportunity and for championing the MPT field, and to the many IMPT partners who submitted letters in support of our application. We are excited about the work ahead of us to make simultaneous prevention a reality and we look forward to continued collaborations with our global network. |
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MPT NEWS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE |
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MPT Outreach in Europe |
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Dr. Bethany Young Holt (IMPT) & Dr. Sami Gottlieb (WHO) at the IMPT brownbag presentation on MPTs at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. |
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In April, Dr. Bethany Young Holt gave a series of presentations on MPTs in London, Amsterdam, and Geneva. These talks were aimed at raising awareness around and support for MPTs and the IMPT among potential new partners and funders. These groups included the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Share-Net, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result of these meetings and presentations, the IMPT Secretariat is in the process of discussing collaborations with new research and advocacy partners, many of whom have joined the Network of Experts. |
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IMPT Kenya Task Force |
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Former KEMRI AVAC Fellow Everlyne Ombati recently commenced her new position as IMPT Kenya Task Force Coordinator, under the supervision of the task force's chair, Dr. Elizabeth Bukusi (KEMRI). In this role, Ms. Ombati is working to refine and implement MPT communications and advocacy strategies in Kenya. This includes quarterly meetings with key SRH stakeholders to raise awareness and strategize around next steps for laying the groundwork for MPTs. As part of her efforts, Ms. Ombati presented on MPTs at the 6th Annual KEMRI Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference in February. |
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Participants at Everlyne Ombati's MPT presentation at the KEMRI Scientific and Health Conference. |
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IMPT China Task Force
In mid–June, Professor Allen Wu, chair of the IMPT China Task Force, gave a presentation on MPTs at the Global Health Forum at the University of Southampton in the UK. His talk focused on recent research on China's internet chatrooms, their impact on HIV and STI transmission, and the need for MPTs. |
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IMPT Australasian Task Force
We are excited to share that the IMPT Secretariat is working in collaboration with Dr. Deborah Bateson of the University of Sydney to establish an IMPT Australasian Task Force. We are in the very early stages of building this task force, and welcome input from other stakeholders in the region. The group's first activity was submitting an MPT–related abstract to the 2016 Australasian Sexual Health Conference, which takes place 14–16 November. |
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MPTs Included in the WHO's Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2016 – 2021
We were thrilled to see MPTs included in the recently published WHO Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections, which outlines actions that will accelerate the global response to STIs over the next five years. This is an exciting step forward for the field as we work to raise awareness of and support for MPTs. We are grateful for the efforts of Drs. Manjulaa Narasimhan, the WHO representative on the IMPT Steering Committee, and Nathalie Broutet, the lead in WHO on the STI strategy, whose efforts continue to elevate MPTs on the WHO's SRHR agenda. |
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2015 IMPT Annual Report |
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The 2015 IMPT Annual Report, released in April, is now available on the Initiative website. The report highlights the Initiative's recent accomplishments and progress toward making MPTs a reality. The report also includes summaries of some of our key activities, including monitoring the MPT product pipeline and tracking investment in MPT research and development. Please help us spread the word about MPTs by sharing this with your colleagues and networks! |
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MPT Market Access Framework |
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The MPT Market Access Framework is now available on the IMPT website. This resource serves as a tool to inform product development and investment decision-making, and focuses on the market access components of MPT development and introduction – specifically, the activities that are critical to ensuring that MPTs in development are informed by real world use contexts. This resource was developed by the IMPT Secretariat in collaboration with several key advisors and is designed to align closely with the "Idea to Impact" guide by USAID's Center for Accelerating Innovation and Impact. |
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Manuscript from Study on MPT Acceptability in Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa
The final report from a market research study on MPTs led by Routes–2–Results (formerly with Ipsos Healthcare) is now available on the IMPT website. The study assessed the acceptability of four hypothetical MPTs among women in Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa. The results from this study were originally presented in 2014 on a live webinar co–hosted by the IMPT and AVAC. The live webinar recording is also available on the Initiative website. |
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Chlamydia positivity by contraceptive method among California women
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) STD Control Branch has collaborated with the IMPT Secretariat on an analysis of chlamydia positivity by contraceptive method and condoms used among low-income California young women and adolescents accessing family planning services. Findings suggest that despite using contraception and condoms, many women and adolescents in California remain at risk for chlamydia. These findings were based on data from over 74,000 women who were tested as part of publicly-funded contraceptive services. While the focus of MPT development to date has been on prevention of HIV and unintended pregnancy, chlamydia is a highly prevalent STI in many populations, and there are several MPTs in early stages of development with anti-chlamydia indications. |
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MPTs at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) |
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 The IMPT's panel at ICFP, from left to right: Kirsten Vogelsong (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation); Chelsea Polis (Guttmacher Institute); Anke Hemmerling (UCSF/IMPT); and Laura Dellplain (IMPT) |
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In January, the IMPT Secretariat hosted a panel session on MPTs at ICFP in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. The session provided an overview of recent data on various hormonal contraceptive methods and HIV acquisition in HIV-negative women and gave an update of current evidence on drug interactions between various contraceptive hormones and specific antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. In addition, the session highlighted the market access work being done by the IMPT. A live webinar with highlights from the presentations was held in March. Slides from the panel session and a live recording of the webinar are available on the IMPT website. |
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IMPT Steering Committee Convening
The IMPT Steering Committee convened for a virtual meeting in February to strategize around maximizing IMPT presence at priority conferences for 2016, MPT communications updates, and the implications of dapivirine ring study results for MPTs. The Steering Committee will convene again in October, in conjunction with the HIV R4P conference. |
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Technical Meeting on Biomedical Technologies to Catalyze STI and HIV Prevention for Young Women |
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On 31 May, IMPT and other SRH stakeholders convened for a two-day meeting focused on biomedical innovations, including MPTs, for STI and HIV prevention in young women. The meeting was organized by the World Health Organization Human Reproduction Programme, the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, USAID, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the IMPT. Participants discussed various topics around comprehensive SRH for young women, including key entry points that can inform STI and HIV prevention in young women. A meeting summary is forthcoming. |
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SRH stakeholders convened for a technical meeting on biomedical technologies for young women's HIV and STI prevention. We look forward to future collaborations with this excellent group! |
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MPT Communications & Messaging Updates
As the MPT field continues to evolve, the IMPT Secretariat works to cultivate a common language around MPTs among IMPT stakeholders. In this vein, the Secretariat recently worked in collaboration with the Steering Committee to update the definition of MPTs to better clarify that MPTs can provide an array of combination prevention options. The updated definition can be found on the Initiative website. In addition, the IMPT Secretariat recently updated the IMPT Mission Statement, in collaboration with the IMPT's Senior Communications Advisor and the Steering Committee. The new mission statement can be found here. |
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IN THE FOREGROUND OF THE FIELD |
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The IMPT Secretariat strives to keep Initiative stakeholders informed of the most recent MPT developments, research, and issues in the field. You should be receiving our monthly "MPTs: Articles from the Field," with journal articles and other resources distributed to over 1,200 IMPT supporters. See back issues.
IMPT members remain active IN the field - attending conferences, delivering presentations, and expanding stakeholder interest in the development of MPTs: |
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Keeping on Track: IMPT Network of Experts (NoE) Quarterly Update
Each quarter, the IMPT hosts updates on the Initiative for our stakeholders around the world, otherwise known as our Network of Experts (NoE). Recent updates took place on 16 February and 24 May, and both included dozens of participants from across the globe, including China, India, Kenya, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The February update included several exciting updates from product developers, including: |
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The Phase 1 study of CONRAD's intravaginal ring, the results of which are being analyzed. |
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Evofems Amphora gel, which is expected to be approved by the FDA as a contraceptive. Evofem will also pursue additional indications, including chlamydia. |
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LeafBio/MappBio's anti-body based MPT film (MB66) with indications for genital herpes and HIV, which is undergoing a Phase 1 clinical safety trial. |
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PATH's Women's Condom Project, the final report of which was released earlier this year, as well as the SILCS Diaphragm program, the work of which will be expanded to look at the health impact and cost-effectiveness of using the SILCS diaphragm with a microbicide gel as an MPT. |
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The Population Council's MPT program, which includes: MZC, a gel targeting HIV, HSV, and HPV, which has been shown to be safe and acceptable for vaginal use in a Phase 1 trial; and the Griffithsin/Carrageenan microbicide, which is currently undergoing preclinical animal studies. |
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The webinars also included highlights of other MPT-relevant research, communications, and advocacy, including: |
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AVAC's Market Manager Project, through which AVAC will partner with product developers, funders, and other partners over the next five years to look at end-user perspectives on microbicides. |
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The Guttmacher Institute's opinion piece on levonorgestrel and the risk of HIV acquisition, as well as potential drug interactions with antiretrovirals (ARVs). This effort is being led by Dr. Chelsea Polis, who is also commencing work on a modeling analysis that will assess the long-term impact of Depo-Provera (DMPA) in combination with a long-acting injectable PrEP on the HIV epidemic. |
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Dr. Kate Guthrie's (the Miriam Hospital and Brown University) MPT Perceptibility Study, which aims to examine end-user experience and advance perceptibility measurement to expand its potential impact on product design and adherence. |
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MPT Presentation at Youth-Technology-Health (YTH) Live |
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The IMPT Secretariat's Laura Dellplain presented at the YTH Live conference in San Francisco, CA. |
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In April, the IMPT Secretariat's Laura Dellplain presented at the YTH Live conference in San Francisco, CA. Her presentation focused on the IMPT's work on market access issues for MPTs, and efforts to ensure that the MPT development process is aligned with women's preferences and voices. Slides from the presentation can be viewed here. |
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MPT Poster at the 14th Congress of the European Society
for Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC) |
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In early May, a poster on challenges and opportunities for the use of hormonal contraceptives in MPTs was showcased at the 14th ESC Congress in Basel, Switzerland. The poster is now available on the IMPT website. |
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Brownbag Presentations at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
& the Guttmacher Institute |
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In mid-May, the IMPT Secretariat's Bethany Young Holt and Kathryn Stewart gave brownbag presentations on MPTs at the UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health and the Guttmacher Institute respectively. Their presentations gave an overview of the epidemiological need for MPTs, the MPT product pipeline, and the technical challenges associated with MPT development. |
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Innovations Marketplace at 2016 HLM on Ending AIDS |
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Dr. Bethany Young Holt and Laura Dellplain represented the IMPT at the UNAIDS Innovations Marketplace. |
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Dr. Bethany Young Holt participated in a panel entitled "Transforming Partnerships for Ending AIDS – Innovating & Financing" at a UNAIDS High Level Meeting in early June at the UN Headquarters in New York. In addition, the IMPT was profiled at the event's Innovations Marketplace. |
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21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) & WomenNow! |
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The IMPT's Beverley Newman, Vanetta Thomas, and Everlyne Ombati represented the Initiative at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa. |
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In July, the IMPT Secretariat's Vanetta Thomas and Beverley Newman represented the Initiative at the AIDS 2016 conference in Durban, South Africa, and were joined by IMPT Kenya Task Force Coordinator Everlyne Ombati. The group hosted an outreach booth in the exhibition hall, where they raised awareness around MPTs, engaged with new stakeholders, and showcased the work of the global IMPT network. Ms. Ombati presented on MPTs as part of a session on new biomedical innovations for reducing HIV risk. In addition, Ms. Thomas attended the WomenNow! conference, a pan-African women's summit that preceded AIDS 2016 in Durban. The conference brought together women from around the world to discuss key issues pertaining the SRH of women and girls of color and strategize around strengthening global efforts to reduce HIV incidence among this population. |
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Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) General Membership Meeting
Seattle, WA; 10-14 October 2016
In collaboration with several IMPT partners, the IMPT Secretariat will be hosting a session at the 2016 RHSC General Membership Meeting. This interactive session will aim to engage contraceptive and other SRH experts to more actively inform MPT development, ensuring that MPTs will fit into the real world parameters of women's lives. |
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HIV Research for Prevention (HIV R4P)
Chicago, IL; 17-20 October 2016
The IMPT will be hosting a satellite session at the upcoming HIV R4P conference. The session, entitled "The Next Wave in HIV Prevention: Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs)," was developed in collaboration with members of the Steering Committee and other IMPT partners, and will aim to examine the impact of potential MPTs, assess key MPT market drivers, and identify relevant technical considerations that are responsive to MPT market drivers. In addition, three abstracts developed by the IMPT Secretariat were accepted to the conference. |
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American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting
Denver, CO; 29 October-2 November 2016
An abstract focused on STI MPTs was accepted to the upcoming APHA Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. In this presentation, the IMPT Secretariat will aim to demonstrate the epidemiological need for MPTs for STI prevention and highlight recent progress in this realm. |
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Please refer to the IMPT website for a comprehensive list of other MPT-relevant conferences. If you are aware of other conferences where MPTs will be highlighted or where colleagues can submit abstracts, please write to us with the details. |
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Clinical Trial (CT) Evaluation for MPTs: Strategic Steps to Ensure Success
Washington, D.C.; 13-14 September 2016
The IMPT Secretariat, in collaboration with the CT meeting planning committee, is in the process of organizing a technical convening aimed at examining MPT clinical evaluation and trials in the context of other HIV prevention and contraceptive interventions. The convening will aim to provide next steps for informing investment and product development decisions and is set to be held 13-14 September in Washington, D.C. at the House of Sweden. |
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Follow-up technical meeting on Hormonal Contraceptives
Washington, D.C.; 12 September 2016
As a follow-up to the technical meetings held in September 2014 and May 2015, the IMPT Secretariat is planning a third meeting on HC in MPTs, which will be held in conjunction with the CT meeting in September 2016 at the House of Sweden in Washington, D.C. |
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JOIN THE NETWORK OF EXPERTS (NoE) |
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The NoE is a multidisciplinary, international group of experts working in sexual and reproductive health, all of whom are committed to making MPTs a reality. NoE members have access to up-to-date news and resources, quarterly update webinars, and other critical MPT-related convenings. Become a member of the IMPT NoE today! |
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THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
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Thank you for your work to make MPTs a reality and everything you do to support the IMPT! Please write to us with any feedback or suggestions to improve our quarterly newsletter.
Best,
IMPT Secretariat staff |
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As Secretariat, we strive to expand the funding base for the IMPT to ensure that MPTs become a life-saving reality and hope you will consider making a contribution towards our collective work through the IMPT support page. Contributions are tax-deductible will go toward an expansion of education and awareness work through our MPT global hubs, the development of an IMPT advocacy strategy, and other prioritized activities critical to the MPT field. |
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