Vaginal live biotherapeutics for sexual and reproductive health
Bacterial vaginosis is a highly prevalent imbalance in the vaginal microbiome that increases risk of HIV acquisition and adverse birth outcomes. Bacterial vaginosis remains prevalent partly because existing treatment has limited efficacy. We aim to address this healthcare gap by developing more effective therapeutics to improve treatment outcomes.
Objective
To develop live biotherapeutics for bacterial vaginosis treatment in different populations.
Timeline
2016–ongoing.
Community impact
A key barrier to improving sexual and reproductive health is the lack of effective treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis and the adverse outcomes that this condition causes are associated with significant morbidity, mortality and social and economic costs.
Developing effective treatment options would improve the quality of life of women who have recurrent bacterial vaginosis and has the potential to reduce the rates of infertility, acquisition of sexually transmissible infections including HIV, spontaneous preterm birth, and other adverse birth outcomes.
Partners
Funding partners
- ACH4
- Medical Research Council, South Africa
- National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
Collaborators
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, South Africa
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia
Project contacts
Main contact
Dr Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
Project team
Dr Lindi Masson
Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Co-Head, Global Women’s and Newborn’s Health
Sarah Amir Hamzah
Research Assistant
