£16m Aids research cash for ML

A £16m research programme that could lead to a solution to the growing problem of Aids among women was launched today by the Department of International Development.

ML Laboratories' research and trials of its Emmelle vaginal gel are to be financed by the cash, with further funds coming from the Medical Research Council.

It is hoped that Emmelle will provide women, who form the majority of new cases of HIV, with the opportunity to protect themselves from infection.

Programmes to encourage condom use have largely failed to prevent a rise in the numbers infected by the virus.

ML Laboratories' shares advanced by 1p to 40 1/2p.