The gels, known as microbicides, could help millions of people around the world with a simple dose protect themselves against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the BBC said on its website.

"Experts say around 60 gels, known as microbicides, are now in development with about 14 in clinical trials," it added.

"Laboratory trials of the drugs have proved successful, and researchers will tell a conference in London on Sunday that clinical tests will now take place in five African countries."

It said a total of 12,000 women are expected to take part in the three-year trials, which are to be held in South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon.

"If the results are positive, the products could be on the market before the end of the decade," the BBC said.

The BBC quoted on expert as saying that the gels, which were developed through a government-backed study by the Medical Research Council and London's Imperial College, could save up to two and a half million lives in just three years.

Hillary Benn, Britain's minister for international development, told BBC radio that the gels could prove to be especially beneficial for women.

He said the British government had invested 17 million pounds (25.4 million euros/31 million dollars) in the development of the gels, which he said were "really potentially very important".

But Benn cautioned that even if the gels proved successful there remained difficulties in making them affordable and accessible to those that needed them most.

About 40 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS and five million more are infected every year, according to latest World Health Organisation figures. It estimates three million people die of AIDS every year.

TERRA.WIRE