HEC placebo gel

HEC placebo gel is a hydroxyethylcellulose-based vaginal gel used as an inert control in clinical trials for topical microbicides, such as Starpharma's VivaGel (SPL7013). Unlike the Carbopol-based vehicle placebo, HEC gel is often used as a universal placebo because it lacks significant buffering capacity or intrinsic antimicrobial activity, providing a neutral comparator for assessing the safety, tolerability, and acceptability of active formulations in the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In Starpharma's Phase 1 trials, it was administered intravaginally to healthy, sexually active women to establish a baseline for vaginal health markers and user acceptability.

Other names

HEC gelHydroxyethylcellulose placebo gelUniversal HEC placebo gel