Apply for Research Funds to Develop Multipurpose Prevention Technologies

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Innovative multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are composed of a combination of drugs that can prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV that are delivered using an on-demand, event-driven, or long-acting drug delivery system (DDS) with rheological/biophysical properties and product user perceptions that support user uptake. Through combining prevention products, MPTs may have a greater uptake and adherence than individual products.

NIAID, along with other institutes, seeks research that can develop new, innovative MPTs that can prevent pregnancy, STIs, HIV, and multiple non-HIV STIs or HIV/STIs MPTs in cis and trans males and females of all ages. We invite applicants to apply for funds through the funding opportunity announcement Next Generation Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (NGM) (R01, Clinical Trial Optional).

NIAID-Specific Areas of Research Interest

NIAID is interested in research efforts focused on specific sub-populations where MPTs may be beneficial, including adolescent girls, women, and men in serodiscordant partnerships; men who have sex with men; or individuals who engage in other high-risk sexual encounters that place them at risk of STIs or HIV.

Additionally, NIAID encourages applicants to consider specific clinical and nonclinical research milestones and timelines for the proposed research, as well as inclusion of biobehavioral research, integrated into an MPT drug development program.

Applicants may also address one or more of the following research topics in their application:

  • Development of episodic dosed (e.g., on-demand or event-driven) MPTs for use during sexual activity with a minimum of 7 days protection from a single dose for MPTs targeting HIV and STIs for cis and trans males and females.
  • Next generation sustained/extended release MPTs (e.g., microarray patches, biodegradable implants) that provide months to years of protection from HIV and STIs and pregnancy in women using a single dose or a constant delivery DDS, which may be modeled after the highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptive strategies for durations and use patterns.
  • Development of single model or separate harmonized animal models that evaluate the efficacy and safety for the active ingredients of a multiple indication MPT product.
  • Understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MPT products by mapping the antiviral, STI(s) and contraceptive duration, lag period (time to establish effective concentrations) and tails (time to loss of effective concentrations) during non-use periods such as menstruation or between dose renewals for episodic and sustained or extended release MPTs.
  • Development of contraceptive and non-contraceptive MPTs that deliver effective HIV drug concentrations to both the female reproductive tract and the gastrointestinal tract of males and females.
  • Understanding the biobehavioral factors which govern decisions made by individuals to use MPTs (look, feel, and duration). Biobehavioral factors are defined as the rheological or biophysical properties of the MPT DDS that invoke user judgements, leading to decisions for first use, subsequent use or non-use, or early termination.

Nonresponsive Research Interests

NIAID will consider applications proposing the following research areas to be nonresponsive and not review them.

  • Developing a product with a single indication/target organism or that does not propose to develop an MPT.
  • MPT strategies composed of HIV or STI vaccines.
  • Use of live biotherapeutics or vectored biotherapeutics to deliver the anti-HIV component(s) of an MPT.

Submission and Budget Information

Applications are due December 7, 2022, by 5 p.m. local time of the applicant organization.

The scope of the proposed project should determine the project period which should not exceed 5 years. Application budgets are not limited but must reflect the actual needs of the proposed project.

Contact Information

Direct any questions to Dr. James E. Cummins, NIAID’s scientific/research contact, at cumminsje@niaid.nih.gov or 240-292-4800.

Contact Us

Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.

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