Scientists say the results suggest a microbicide using compounds that inhibit the processes by which HIV attaches to and enters target cells could potentially provide a safe, effective and practical way to prevent HIV transmission in women.

Royalty-Free License

Additionally, in a first-of-its-kind joint announcement, Merck & Co. and Bristol-Myers Squibb announced they have signed license agreements with the International Partnership for Microbicides to develop two of the compounds evaluated in the study.

Under the agreements, Merck and BMS each will grant the non-profit group a royalty-free license to develop, manufacture and distribute their compounds for use as microbicides in resource-poor countries.

Early in Development

The agreement marks the first time any pharmaceutical company has licensed an anti-HIV compound for development as a microbicide when the class of drugs is so early in development.

The study appears online in the journal Nature.