A local researcher thinks he could be close to developing a microbicidal gel that could prevent the spread of the HIV virus to women during sexual activity.

Dr. Ronald Veazey, who works at the Tulane Primate Center said tests in monkeys have shown his microbicide to be 100 percent effective and he’s hoping clinical trials on humans could begin soon.

“It’s not a new idea,” he said. “The term microbicide has been used for 20 years, but 20 years ago we thought we would have a vaccination to prevent HIV much sooner.”

Research on the microbicide began at the primate center about seven years ago. Since that time about 200 monkeys have been tested and there have been about 30 variations of the gel.

Veazey says the idea is that when women use the vaginal gel two hours or less before engaging in sexual activity, the microbicide would work against the HIV.

Another benefit to the new gel, according to Veazey and other researchers is the cost, which could be just pennies a dose.

“Then you would be talking about something that could have a huge impact,” said Dr. Fred Lopez, an LSU Associated Professor of Medicine.

Lopez said that of the more than 15,000 people living with HIV in Louisiana, about one-fourth don’t know they are infected and that they are responsible for about half of the new infections.

Veazey also hopes that the gel could cut down on the skyrocketing rate of HIV infections in Africa.

“These are male-dominated societies where condom use cannot be insisted on by the women, so this would give women a method or an option to protect themselves.”

Veazey is optimistic that his microbicide will succeed where three other trials have failed. He said those microbicides hadn’t been tested extensively on monkeys.