A new vaginal treatment for high-risk HPV infections

A first-in-class product for the clearance of high-risk human papillomaviruses

NIH-funded research Dare Bioscience, INC. · NIH-11064135

This study is testing a new vaginal insert called DARE-HPV that aims to help women clear stubborn high-risk HPV infections, which can lead to cervical cancer, using a combination of two medications that support healthy cell growth.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDare Bioscience, INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11064135 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing DARE-HPV, an innovative vaginal insert designed to clear persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections, which are linked to cervical cancer. The treatment combines two antiretroviral drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir, to target the viral lifecycle and promote normal cellular growth. Initial clinical studies have shown promising results, with many women achieving viral clearance after treatment. The research will also assess the safety and effectiveness of the treatment through various studies, including toxicity assessments in animal models.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with persistent high-risk HPV infections.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have HR-HPV infections or those with other types of HPV may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a much-needed treatment option for women suffering from persistent HR-HPV infections, potentially reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success with similar antiviral approaches, but this specific treatment is novel and has not been widely tested.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.