Clinical trial Recruiting at 11 sites Phase 2 Interventional Ages 22 to 50 Women only

DARE-HPV: testing a two-dose, two-duration approach to clear persistent hrHPV in women

Official title: A Phase 2a, Multi-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Randomized, Dose Ranging Study of the Preliminary Efficacy of DARE-HPV to Treat Persistent High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genital Infection

Run by Daré Bioscience, Inc. · NCT07601074 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether DARE-HPV can clear persistent high-risk HPV in premenopausal women aged 22–50, using two doses and two treatment lengths against a placebo.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages22 Years to 50 Years
SexWomen only
Enrollment118 (estimated)
SponsorDaré Bioscience, Inc.
Industry-sponsored
Locations11 sites (Mobile, Alabama and 10 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 17, 2026
Main results expectedOctober 2027
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedNovember 6, 2026
Trial IDNCT07601074 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Premenopausal women aged 22–50 with a documented history of persistent genital hrHPV infection (types 16, 18, or other) and overall good health.

Probably not a fit

Individuals without persistent hrHPV infection or with contraindications to the study drug may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This phase 2 interventional study compares two doses of DARE-HPV administered for either 14 or 21 days to a placebo, aiming to see if genital hrHPV clears at 30, 60, or 90 days after treatment. The trial targets women with a history of persistent hrHPV infection (types 16, 18, or other) confirmed by at least two positive tests over 12 months. Lopinavir/ritonavir is the investigational intervention used in this study. Participants must be generally healthy, have regular menses or effective contraception, and agree to abstain from vaginal douching and intravaginal devices around treatment. Enrollment is led by Daré Bioscience with ARPA-H collaboration across multiple U.S. sites.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants could experience clearance of persistent hrHPV and potentially reduced risk of HPV-related complications.

How similar studies have gone: Previous approaches to treat persistent hrHPV have shown mixed results; this study explores a novel antiviral strategy with two dosing regimens.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provision of written informed consent prior to any study-specific procedures.
2. Premenopausal women aged 22-50 years inclusive at the time of screening visit.
3. Positive result for genital hrHPV (types 16, 18, or 'other') on at least 2 tests over the span of at least 12 months (history of persistent hrHPV infection for at least 12 months), based on review of participant's medical records. The visit 1 screening genital hrHPV test may be the second positive test.
4. Generally, in good health with no clinically significant disease as determined by the Investigator.
5. Regular menstrual cycle with an approximate 28-day cycle OR women who are amenorrheic due to effective contraception (such as levonorgestrel intrauterine system, or continuous oral contraception).
6. Agree to refrain from vaginal douching, insertion of intravaginal devices (e.g., tampons, menstrual cups), and use of condoms for at least 48 hours before the first dose of study drug through at least 72 hours after the last dose of study drug.
7. Agree to abstain from all vaginal and oral intercourse for at least 48 hours before the first dose of study drug through at least 72 hours after the last dose of study drug.
8. Women at risk of pregnancy must use a highly effective form of birth control (confirmed by the Investigator) for the entire duration of the study. Rhythm methods and consistent use of condoms will not be considered as highly effective methods of birth control. Highly effective forms of birth control include:

   * Heterosexual abstinence
   * Vasectomized male partner (provided that the male partner is the sole sexual partner of the female participant with childbearing potential and that the vasectomized partner has received medical assessment of the surgical success);
   * Oral or transdermal combined ethinyl estradiol/progestin hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation;
   * Oral, injectable or implantable progestogen-only hormone contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (e.g., Depo-Provera™, Nexplanon, Slynd);
   * Any effective copper intrauterine device/levonorgestrel intrauterine system;
   * Female sterilization by tubal occlusion or bilateral salpingectomy;
   * Supracervical hysterectomy.
9. Ability and willingness to attend the necessary visits to the study center.
10. Ability to comprehend all study related documentation, including written informed consent form, and complete all study-related tasks including daily diary.
11. Be willing and able to adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any significant disease or disorder (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, metabolic, malignant, psychiatric, major physical impairment) which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the results of the study, or the participant's ability to participate in the study.
2. Any clinically significant abnormal findings in physical examination, vital signs, hematology, clinical chemistry, or urinalysis during screening and at baseline, which in the opinion of the Investigator, may put the participant at risk because of her participation in the study, or may influence the results of the study, or the participant's ability to complete the entire duration of the study.
3. Cytological abnormality of the uterine cervix defined as LSIL or mild cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1), or HSIL or moderate (CIN 2) or severe (CIN 3) histology, as proven by cytology or colposcopic biopsy collected within the 12 months prior to screening or cytology at screening.
4. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or lactating women (WOCBP must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and at the start of treatment \[i.e., Day 1\]).
5. Active pelvic infection (positive for gonorrhea or chlamydial infection, positive test and symptoms for bacterial vaginosis, candida vaginitis or trichomonal vaginitis). Participants with positive results can be treated and re-tested once during screening.
6. Positive result for hepatitis B, hepatitis C antibody or human immunodeficiency virus.
7. Currently taking systemic immunosuppressants, biologics, intra-vaginal preparations, or any prescription that in the opinion of the Investigator could be a potential safety issue or interfere with the interpretation of the results.
8. Previous exposure to lopinavir/ritonavir (within 3 months prior to screening), contraindication to the use of lopinavir/ritonavir or known allergy, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to any component of lopinavir/ritonavir excipients.
9. Recent history (within 3 months prior to screening) of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, urticaria, or angioedema.
10. Receipt of any investigational product within 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to dosing.
11. Participants who, in the opinion of the Investigator, do not understand the information and procedures of the study, or would not be compliant with them (in particular, the study restrictions and risks involved).

Where it's running

  • Velocity Clinical Research - Mobile
    Mobile, Alabama, United States
    Recruiting
  • Precision Clinical Trials-Arizona
    Phoenix, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Del Sol Research Management LLC
    Tucson, Arizona, United States
    Recruiting
  • Applied Research Center of Arkansas/Cornerstone Clinic for Women
    Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Planned Parenthood North Central States
    Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
    Recruiting
  • Velocity Clinical Research - Grand Island
    Grand Island, Nebraska, United States
    Recruiting
Show 5 more locations
  • AMR Clinical Columbus
    Columbus, Ohio, United States
    Recruiting
  • Innovative Medical Research of Texas
    Houston, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Activian Clinical Research
    Pearland, Texas, United States
    Recruiting
  • Alpine Research Organization, Inc.
    Layton, Utah, United States
    Recruiting
  • Seattle Clinical Research Center
    Seattle, Washington, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.