GGD Amsterdam takes part in DISCOVER study on prevention of HIV (PrEP)

GGD Amsterdam is taking part in the DISCOVER study: an international medical-scientific study into the use of a new medicine as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. PrEP is a pill with antiretrovirals which prevent an HIV infection, and is intended for people who are not infected with HIV, but are at high risk of being infected with HIV. The DISCOVER study will research whether a new experimental medicine (F/TAF) is safe and effective for use by healthy adults to prevent HIV infections.

The goal of the DISCOVER study is to determine whether F/TAF is effective for use as PrEP in comparison with Truvada® as PrEP. Truvada® has been approved for use as PrEP in the United States, Canada and the European Union. F/TAF has been approved as part of chronic HIV treatment, but not yet for use as PrEP. Research shows that F/TAF has less effect on kidney functioning and bone density, compared to Truvada®. The usage of F/TAF for PrEP has not yet been researched.

A total of approximately 5000 subjects at about 100 sites in North-America and Europe are participating in this international medical-scientific study. It is not possible to participate in this study anymore.

The DISCOVER study was initiated and is financed by the pharmaceutical company GILEAD Sciences, Inc., Foster City, US and evaluated and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC).

For more information regarding this study, send an e-mail to discover@ggd.amsterdam.nl or call 020 555 3999.