Source: Elton John AIDS Foundation
“This grant will support the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates’ (IRMA) global advocacy across six continents. Since AFC launched IRMA with three other North American partners in 2005, this coalition has grown to include more than 800 scientists, advocates, and policy makers promoting the research and development of safe, effective, and acceptable rectal microbicides for the women and men who need them. Through concerted global advocacy, IRMA has brought visibility, legitimacy, and respect to the emerging rectal microbicide development field and set the stage for researchers to develop these new, lifesaving tools more quickly and effectively. Thanks to support from EJAF in FY09, IRMA further expanded its reach and capacity, forming a close strategic collaboration with the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC); supporting the launch of a sister organization in Latin America, IRMA – ALC (América Latina y El Caribe, based in Lima, Peru) and in Africa through the launch of IRMA-Nigeria; and increasing its global membership by 60% since 2006. During this time, UCLA completed and reported on the first Phase I human rectal safety trial, and up to three additional Phase I rectal safety studies are about to begin. In FY10, AFC sees great potential for the rectal microbicides field, as there has never been more global recognition or support for the development of these new prevention tools.”
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