Good News for Prevention

As several news articles are pointing out, Merck and Bristol Myers Squib have joined forces to develop a microbicide that women can use (with or without their partner's knowledge or cooperation) to prevent the transmission of HIV.

• Drug firms to make anti-AIDS gels for women
• Companies to develop Aids defence for women
• AIDS Gel on a Faster Track

This news comes from an article to be published in this week's Nature. A significant part of the story's news value come from the facts that it's a major step to have such major investors in the development of a microbicide and that Merck and BMS are licensing the product for use in third world countries for free.