The Invisible Condom®:: A unique mode of action with a low toxicity profile

We have developed a gel formulation containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), called the Invisible Condom((R)) (IC), that could prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and HSV. The IC acts both as a physical barrier, which is provided by the polymeric gel formulation, and as a chemical barrier, which is provided by SLS (Figure 1). SLS inhibited the attachment of HIV to cells whereas it affected the rate of penetration of HSV into cells. The IC was effective to protect mice following HSV-2 intravaginal challenge. The intravaginal application of IC once and twice daily for 6 months to rats and rabbits did not cause any change in the haematology, coagulation, serum chemistry and in the vaginal tolerance score. The IC was acceptable and well tolerated by most women and men in Phase I clinical trials. The IC is a candidate of choice for use as a microbicide.