# Acceptable Multi-user Biodegradable Extended Release (AMBER) Implant System for HIV Prevention

> **NIH NIH R01** · RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE · 2024 · $919,111

## Abstract

The overarching goal of this program is to develop an innovative, end-user informed HIV pre- exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) product as an Acceptable Multi-user Biodegradable Extended Release (AMBER) implant. The implant technology addresses multiple challenges with current PrEP drug delivery systems (DDS) by offering beneficial attributes: user-independence and discretion of use, zero-order (sustained) release, long-term protection (≤1 year), retrievability and biodegradation of the polymeric implant. We propose to engineer the implant to be retrievable throughout the drug delivery period, in the case of adverse reactions or an end-user’s wish to discontinue. Otherwise, the AMBER implant will remain in-place and biodegrade after drug depletion. Uniquely, the AMBER implant decouples drug delivery features from biodegradation properties, which enables zero-order kinetics of drug release. The AMBER program addresses the goals of this National Institutes of Health (NIH) opportunity (RFA-AI-19-063) for the development of new and innovative sustained/extended release (SER) DDS for HIV PrEP with novel (non- tenofovir based) antivirals (ARV).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10907450
- **Project number:** 5R01AI154549-05
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Leah Johnson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $919,111
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-20 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10907450

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10907450, Acceptable Multi-user Biodegradable Extended Release (AMBER) Implant System for HIV Prevention (5R01AI154549-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10907450. Licensed CC0.

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