Melbourne, Aug 13, 2008 (ABN Newswire) - Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL)(PINK:SPHRY) today announced the start of its next clinical trial of VivaGel(R). The study will measure the level of antiviral activity retained by VivaGel(R) after vaginal administration. Assessment will be by laboratory assay of vaginal samples collected up to 24 hours after VivaGel(R) application. The study in 12 women will determine the timescale over which VivaGel(R) retains activity against HIV and HSV-2 (genital herpes).

"The value of this short trial is that it provides a potential surrogate for antiviral efficacy of VivaGel(R) in humans ahead of Phase 3 studies," said Dr Jackie Fairley, Chief Executive Officer of Starpharma. "It will also give an indication of just how long before sex you could apply VivaGel(R) to prevent infection," added Dr Fairley.

The study is being conducted at the Centre for Clinical Studies in Melbourne and is funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).*

Additional details of the study are included in Appendix 1 to this announcement.

VivaGel(R) is being developed as a vaginal microbicide for the prevention of HIV and HSV-2. Other applications of VivaGel(R) are also under assessment, including prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV), contraception and treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV).

* NIH Contract No. HHSN266200500042C