This report - the result of a one-year literature review and consultation with experts - provides the case for developing microbicides, and contains a useful account of the recent history of the field. The report notes that although the previous five years had seen a dramatic increase in the number of researchers working on microbicides, progress remains slow.

While there is some overlap with the 2002 reports of the Microbicide Initiative, this document also suggests priorities for stimulating industry investment into research and development of microbicides. These include the need to provide proof of concept (evidence that microbicides can be effective against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases), and the importance of exploring new sources of investment such as venture capital.

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