Oral pills and a skin patch to deliver two HIV drugs more safely
Ionic liquid-based nanoemulsion containing combination antiretroviral drugs for the oral and transdermal treatment of HIV infection
Researchers are developing tiny-particle oral pills and a skin patch to give a two-drug HIV treatment (dolutegravir plus rilpivirine) to people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175964 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses special ionic-liquid formulations to make nanoemulsions that can carry two HIV drugs with poor water solubility into the body by mouth or through the skin. The team will formulate and test these nanoemulsions in laboratory experiments and preclinical models to measure drug absorption, distribution, and stability. The goal is to improve how much drug reaches the body so lower doses may be needed and side effects reduced. If the lab work is promising, the approach could move toward safety and delivery testing that would involve people in future trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are eligible for or interested in two-drug regimens containing dolutegravir and rilpivirine and who prefer noninvasive delivery options would be the likely candidates for future human testing.
Not a fit: People with resistance to dolutegravir or rilpivirine, those with certain skin conditions that prevent patch use, or pregnant people until safety is established may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower doses and side effects of a two-drug HIV regimen and offer a noninvasive, self‑administered patch alternative to injections.
How similar studies have performed: Oral two‑drug combinations and long‑acting injectable dolutegravir/rilpivirine formulations have been successful, but transdermal delivery of these drugs is a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Date, Abhijit a — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Date, Abhijit a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.