“…Since the concept of these 'topical virucides' was first proposed back in 1990 (Stein, 1990), almost three decades of extensive research effort have elapsed and a handful of lead candidate products having reached late stage clinical testing. Currently the most developmentally advanced vaginal microbicide product is a vaginal ring device containing the experimental antiretroviral agent dapivirine (DPV; formerly known as TMC-120) dispersed in a silicone elastomer matrix-type ring and intended for continuous use over 28 days (Malcolm et al, 2005;McCoy et al, 2017;Nel et al, 2016aNel et al, , 2016bNel et al, , 2014aNel et al, , 2014bNel et al, , 2009Romano et al, 2009). In 2016, the results of two pivotal Phase III clinical studies were reported demonstrating that the DPV ring significantly reduced the risk of HIV-1 infection in women and was well-tolerated (Baeten et al, 2016;Nel et al, 2016b).…”