A gel developed here in Kenya that is capable of killing Aids-causing virus HIV and preventing unwanted pregnancy is set to enter its trial stage.
The gel dubbed UniPron was invented in 2007 can kill the AIDS virus and prevent unwanted pregnancy. It can also be used as a lubricant during sexual activities.
The UniPron which was developed at the State agency, the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) has so far consumed over Sh200 million since it was started in 2007.
IPR principal investigator Peter Gichuhi Mwethera has revealed that a strong team has been set in place to handle the final phase.
"For the next and final phase, we have put together a strong team of academics, clinicians, investors and marketers,” says Dr Mwethera as quoted by Nation.
A consultant gynaecologist at Nairobi Hospital Dr Kavoo Linge who is the clinical adviser to the project said that approvals were already being sort for.
“We are in discussions with several institutions with the requisite capacity and knowledge to carry out human clinical trials of the highest quality and ethical standards,” Dr Linge said.
If the final trial will be a success, Kenya will go into history books as the first nation to invent effective anti-HIV microbicide in the whole world and avail it to the people, the market.
World Health Organisation says Microbicides are compounds that can be applied inside the vagina or rectum to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.
UniPron which is made from different elements including lemon is made in that its acidity cannot be conducive for the virus nor sperms to survive inside the vagina.
“It works by lowering and stabilising the environment at levels that are too acidic for HIV to survive,” says Dr Mwethera
The UniPron project has so far scoped some awards for the inventors including the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Award won in 2015 and Africa Union Innovation Award in 2013.