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Nature 438, 6-7 (3 November 2005) | doi:10.1038/438006b; Published online 2 November 2005

Open Innovation Challenges

Drug firms donate compounds for anti-HIV gel

Narelle Towie

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Promising results raise hopes in the battle against AIDS.

Motivated by positive results reported in this week's Nature, two drug companies have given away rights to two key compounds, so that they can be developed into gels that protect against HIV.Such a gel could help many women to protect themselves, as they often find it difficult to get partners to use condoms — particularly in the developing world, where men may disapprove of the practice.