Zika Virus-Proof Condoms For Australian Athletes Joining the 2016 Olympics

Starpharma Holdings Ltd, a pharmaceutical company from Australia, and world No. 2 condom maker Ansell Ltd are joining forces to supply Zika virus-proof condoms to the Australian Olympic team ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Starpharma said it is giving the Australian athletes Ansell “Dual Protect” condoms lubricated with Starpharma’s VivaGel product, which it recently said showed near-total antiviral protection against Zika and other viruses in laboratory studies.

“Given sexual transmission of Zika virus is of increasing importance, the potent activity of Starpharma’s VivaGel against Zika could prove very significant,” said Starpharma Chief Executive Officer Jackie Fairley in a statement.