Vaginal drug delivery. 7-8 June 1999, London, UK

This meeting collected experts from the field of clinical medicine and pharmaceutical companies to discuss various issues concerning vaginal drug delivery. The conference was divided into large sub-categories, such as the advantages of a vaginal system, including its potential use in providing both disease-specific and systemic drug administration. The specific need for topical microbicides and anti-HIV systems were highlighted. Discussions included the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of the human vagina as well as the potential lack of an animal model to predict clinical results. Specific formulation techniques discussed included: polycarbophil, as a bio-adhesive; a hydrogel, Hycor-V; membrane lipids, such as Q-vail; and a hybrid emulsion system, such as the Site Release system. The potential development of vaginal vaccines and vaginal rings to provide systemic drug delivery were also discussed. Finally, there was discussion regarding the information needed to evaluate and develop novel actives and delivery systems. The general agreement from representatives of regulatory bodies was that, because of the uniqueness of this anatomical area and technology used, early participation of regulatory agencies to assist with development is highly recommended. The conference was chaired by Dr Ian Wilding (Chief Executive, Pharmaceutical Profiles, Nottingham, UK) and Professor SS Davis (Chairman, West Pharmaceutical Services, formerly DanBioSyst UK Ltd, Nottingham, UK). Forty participants from industry and academia were in attendance. Speakers included representatives of academic institutions from Europe and the US, the FDA, the National Institutes of Health as well as from numerous international pharmaceutical corporations.