Melbourne, Dec 4, 2008 (ABN Newswire) - Starpharma Holdings Ltd (ASX:SPL)(OTCQX:SPHRY) today announced new data showing that SPL7013, the active ingredient in its topical microbicide VivaGel(R), inhibits all four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) targeted by the two marketed cervical cancer vaccines.

These pre-clinical results extend those of a previous study showing that SPL7013 was active against two of the four strains targeted by the vaccines. SPL7013 has now been shown to have in vitro activity against HPV-16 and -18, which account for approximately 70% of cervical cancers; and HPV-6 and -11, which together account for approximately 90% of the incidence of genital warts.

In addition, the latest results demonstrate SPL7013 to be active against HPV-31. Previously SPL7013 has been demonstrated to be active against HPV-45. These two strains have been implicated in more than 4% of cervical cancers but neither is included in the existing vaccines.

Starpharma CEO, Dr Jackie Fairley said: "The new data support our earlier findings that VivaGel(R) may have potential for reducing the risk of genital HPV infection, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States."

"Showing that VivaGel(R) has activity against all major clinically relevant strains of HPV tested so far, in particular those strains not covered by the current cervical cancer vaccines, further strengthens the growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of SPL7013 against several important STIs."

In the US, 6.2 million people are newly infected with HPV each year. HPV infection is a factor in the development of virtually all cases of cervical cancer.

VivaGel(R) is currently under clinical development as a vaginal microbicide for the prevention of transmission of HIV and genital herpes (HSV-2).