Additional Context: MATRIX was a $125 million USAID global health research and development activity starting in 2021. According to the program's fact sheet, MATRIX's mission was to expedite the research and development of a range of HIV prevention products for women that would be safe and effective as well as acceptable, affordable, scalable and deliverable in the settings where they are needed most.

When the program was terminated, there were four ongoing clinical trials, with one product still in preclinical trials. According to AVAC, the termination of this project along with other cancelled USAID global health research and development projects creates a gap in innovative, African-led HIV prevention research, and ends any PEPFAR support for HIV R&D after decades of advancement.

Source: AVAC