Brighton’s NHS hospital trust and medical school are looking for volunteers to take part in clinical trials of a new drug designed to block infection with HIV.
The trials will be run by the Clinical Investigation Research Unit of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
The research unit is advertising for people in good health between the ages of 18 and 50.
While researchers want a balanced mixture of volunteers from all walks of life, they are keen to encourage women and black people to take part.
Volunteers will need to be free to visit researchers about 18 times over a 31-week period.
In an advert the research unit reassures potential volunteers that there is no increased risk of catching HIV from the trial.
It also says that those taking part should practise safe sex even while taking part in the trials.
The only money paid to volunteers will be to cover the cost of travel time and inconvenience.
The aims of the trial include finding out how long the drug stays in a patient’s body and understanding any side-effects.
Researchers will let each volunteer’s GP know that they are taking part in the trials.
The unit said the trial had been approved by the Oxford Research Ethics Committee and should start in mid April. Screening of volunteers is expected to start from March 15.
Later the trials may continue in countries with a higher incidence of HIV/Aids.
For more information or to take part, call 01273 696955 x3522 or x3528.
The research unit also pointed out that replying to the advert does not mean having to take part in the trial.
