There are various ways to define what a microbicide for HIV prevention is. So here is a compilation from various sources, that also shows their respective emphasis or interest.

Global Campaign for Microbicides
The word “microbicides” refers to a range of different products that share one common characteristic: the ability to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when applied topically. A microbicide could be produced in many forms, including gels, creams, suppositories, films, or as a sponge or ring that releases the active ingredient over time. Microbicides would be the most important innovation in reproductive health since the Pill.

WHO
Microbicides are compounds that can be applied inside the vagina or rectum to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. They can be formulated as gels, creams, films, or suppositories. Microbicides may or may not have spermicidal activity (contraceptive effect). At present, an effective microbicide is not available.

International Partnership for Microbicides
Microbicides are vaginal products being developed to reduce the transmission of HIV during sexual intercourse. Microbicides could take the form of a gel, film or sponge, or be contained in a vaginal ring that releases the active ingredient gradually. A microbicide could also be in a new formulation and use a delivery method yet to be invented. A microbicide would be a useful complement to other HIV prevention measures, including safer sex education, condom distribution, voluntary testing and counseling, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, anti-stigma campaigns, safe blood supplies and (hopefully, one day) a vaccine.

Alliance for Microbicides Development
Microbicides are products being developed to reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. They are being developed in a variety of forms, such as topical gels, creams, tablets, films, oral pills, alone or in combination with cervical barriers, rings, condoms, and ancillary devices.

Microbicides Trial Network
Microbicides are substances designed to address the biological factors that make women more vulnerable to infection that when applied topically to the vagina could prevent sexual transmission of HIV. Unlike condoms, microbicides represent a method that women could control themselves. Theoretically, they could be produced in many forms, including gels, creams, suppositories, films, or as a sponge or ring that release the active ingredient over time. Some microbicides are also being developed for rectal use.

Familiy Health International (FHI)
Numerous microbicidal products are under development for the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Designed to be inserted into the vagina and/or rectum prior to sexual intercourse, such products have the potential to be female-controlled, enabling women at risk of HIV to use them for protection without partner consent. Microbicides are formulated as foams, gels, creams, impregnated sponges, suppositories, and films.

Population Council
Vaginal microbicides are being developed primarily as female-initiated methods for reducing male-to-female transmission of HIV and possibly other sexually transmitted infections when used during sex. Women need more options to protect themselves from infection because current prevention strategies are not always feasible. While no effective microbicides yet exist, they would most likely be formulated as gels, creams, films, or vaginal rings.

UNAIDS
Given the obstacles many women encounter when trying to negotiate the use of male condoms, there is an urgent need for more prevention options they can initiate themselves. Efforts are under way to develop a microbicide – a gel or cream that can be applied topically to the vagina in much the same way as today’s spermicides. As a prevention method that can be self-administered and might be undetectable to partners, microbicides could increase the options for women who find it difficult or impossible to persuade their spouses or other sex partners to use a condom. Acceptability studies in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe suggest that women who seldom or never use condoms would reduce their overall risk of infection if an effective microbicide were available to them at low cost.

International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA)
Currently in development, a microbicide is a cream or gel, or maybe a douche or an enema, that could be used to reduce a person’s risk of HIV infection vaginally or rectally. Rectal microbicides could offer both primary protection in the absence of condoms and back-up protection if a condom breaks or slips off during anal intercourse. For those unable or unwilling to use condoms, rectal microbicides could be a safe and effective alternative means of reducing risk, especially if they were unobtrusive and/or enhanced sexual pleasure enough to motivate consistent use. Such alternatives are essential if we are to address the full spectrum of prevalent sexual practices and the basic human need for accessible, user-controlled HIV and STD prevention tools.

and peripheries’s view of microbicides

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