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clinical trials, hiv prevention, microbicide gels, quarraisha abdool karim, the new age, women in science award

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“Abdool Karim is the brains behind the country’s, and perhaps even the world’s, most successful microbicide trial to date”

SA woman scientist scoops award

A South African microbicide scientist has scooped up the Department of Science and Technology’s Woman in Science award.

Quarraisha Abdool Karim is the brains behind the country’s, and perhaps even the world’s, most successful microbicide trial to date.

Abdool Karim was the head researcher on the CAPRISA 004 trial which tested the efficacy of an ARV-based gel in preventing HIV infection. The study found that the tenofovir gel prevented HIV by 39% and genital herpes by a staggering 51%.

The New Age (TNA) quotes Abdool Karim as saying that the 889 women who participated in the trial were most deserving of the award; calling the women “heroines.”