May 1, 1998 Cheryl Chin, Ph.D. 4560 Horton Emeryville CA 94608 Dear Dr. Chin, We are writing to urge you and your company to commit your support to the development and formulation of microbicides and other products for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although the number of AIDS related deaths in the United States has decreased over the past few years, the epidemic is far from over. Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as herpes and syphilis, also continue to plague our communities. Microbicides are substances that kill bacteria, viruses, parasites and microbes. The goal is for these substances to be available in many forms that people can buy across the counter in their local drug stores, as they can for spermicides. Because they can be inserted ahead of time, they do not interrupt the intimacy of sex and can be used without a partner' knowledge. In the last few years, several preliminary studies have indicated that the development of these products is feasible. Unfortunately, there are currently no phase III studies (clinical trials) underway. Indeed, at the current pace, it is unlikely that anything will be available for several more years. So far condoms are the only physical barrier method available for the prevention STDs, including HIV. Because condoms require the consent of both partners to be effective, they are not always used consistently or correctly. Nonoxynol-9, a chemical that is used in some products (such as condoms), does kill the HIV virus and other STDs but it can also cause irritation and may actually facilitate disease transmission in some people. While abstinence is the most effective form of prevention, it is not a realistic option for many people. If we are to see an end to the HIV epidemic and infections caused by other STDs there needs to be an alternative to condoms. If developed and formulated, microbicides could provide such an alternative. Many people could benefit from products such as microbicides. The following scenario is an example of such a person and situation: A woman is pregnant and she is dependent on her mate for money, shelter and food herself and young children. Her mate has active sexual relations with others and has a history of injection drug use and violence. She knows that he is at risk for HIV and other STDs but she is desperate and feels that her immediate concern is to feed and shelter herself and her children. He demands to have sexual relations with her. One time she suggested using a condom but he became very violent. She no longer makes the request. Now, she and her unborn baby are both at high risk for contracting HIV and other STDs . If this woman had had a product that she could have used to protect herself without the 'permission' of her partner, she and her baby would not be at risk. Such a product could have been in the form of a film, a suppository, a gel or even foam. She could have inserted the product vaginally before her mate arrived, therefore protecting herself without causing him to be resentful. If such a product existed, both, she and her baby would have been protected from disease. Research and product development in the area of microbicides is essential in our fight against HIV, as well as other diseases such as herpes, syphilis and chlamydia. For nearly a decade, public health researchers have advocated for the development of prevention products such as microbicides. Indeed, in 1996 Donna Shalala allocated $100 million over the next four years on researched aimed at the development of microbicides. However, so far no such product is available on the market. It is critical that pharmaceutical companies such as yours make a commitment to help develop products that are safe, accessible and affordable for the prevention of HIV and other STDs. There is an urgent need to have prevention products other than only condoms and products with nonoxynol-9 available for people to use to protect themselves from disease. We need your help in developing and marketing such products. Thank you for your time. We need Microbicide research and products as soon as possible. You and your company can make the difference. Please take this call for research and product development serious, and help us stop HIV and save lives. Sincerely, ___________________________ Shirley Dean, Mayor of Berkeley _____________________________________ Linda Maio, Berkeley City Councilmember _______________________________________ Margaret Breland, Berkeley City Councilmember _______________________________________ Maudelle Shirek, Berkeley City Councilmember _______________________________________ Dona Spring, Berkeley City Councilmember ________________________________________ Diane Wolley, Berkeley City Councilmember _________________________________________ Betty Olds, Berkeley City Councilmember __________________________________________ Kriss Worthington, Berkeley City Councilmember __________________________________________ Polly Armstrong, Berkeley City Councilmember