Breakthroughs Blog: Contraceptives

Interested in more global health innovation news? Every week GHTC scours media reports worldwide to deliver essential global health R&D news and content to your inbox. Sign up now to receive our weekly R&D News Roundup email. A research team has discovered an all-new class of antibiotics that could, if it proves successful down the line, improve our ability to address some of the most drug-resistant bacteria in the world, as antimicrobial resistance continues to rise globally. The new molecule, lariocidin, attacks bacteria distinctly from other antibiotics by inhibiting bacteria’s ability to grow and survive. Lariocidin is also not toxic to human cells, not susceptible to existing mechanisms or antibiotic resistance, and it works well in an animal model of infection, underscoring its potential to be a gamechanger in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance, although years of further research are still needed.Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, in collaboration with Kumamoto University, have assessed a new rapid diagnostic test to identify pregnant women at elevated risk of transmitting Hepatitis B to their babies, which could help eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B during childbirth, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of death globally and particularly affects resource-limited countries. While vaccination is available, available antiviral therapies do not provide a cure and existing tests can be costly and require specialized equipment that is often unavailable in these settings. The new test is highly effective, inexpensive to produce, easy to use, does not require electricity, can be used in higher temperatures, and provides results in 45 minutes, making it ideal for integration into routine antenatal care in decentralized, resource-limited settings.A recently published paper identified a novel method for delivering drugs in higher doses with less pain that could offer a better way to deliver long-lasting contraception or other drugs that need to be given over extended periods. The project, which began as part of a Gates Foundation-funded effort to expand contraceptive options, particularly in low-resource settings, created a new method of injecting drugs formulated into tiny crystals that can last for months or even years in the body. There are similar drug delivery methods that are already in use, but the new method can last longer and can also be injected through a smaller needle that is easier for patients to tolerate.

Interested in more global health innovation news? Every week GHTC scours media reports worldwide to deliver essential global health R&D news and content to your inbox. Sign up now to receive our weekly R&D News Roundup email. An experimental hormone-free birth control pill for men appears to be safe and well-tolerated in an early-stage, in-human study and successfully prevented sperm production in mammal studies. The drug, YCT-529, is being developed by YourChoice Therapeutics and Quotient Sciences and works by interfering with the vitamin A signaling necessary for sperm production. There are no male birth control pills available, but, in the future, an option like YCT-529 could help prevent unwanted pregnancies and reduce the burden traditionally placed on women for contraception.Last week, an international team of researchers reported that their Phase 3 clinical trial found that a vaccine that protects against five strains of meningitis is safe and effective, a finding that supports is use in routine childhood immunization programs in high-burden countries. The trial was conducted in babies and toddlers in Mali, one of the countries in the sub-Saharan African meningitis belt, so-called because of its high incidence rates and regular large-scale epidemics of meningitis. Previous trials demonstrated positive results for the vaccine in children over 12 months and adults. The vaccine could be a game-changer for meningitis control, and its affordability would also enable broad scale-up.Gilead recently published early data suggesting that a new formulation of its drug, lenacapavir, could be used to prevent HIV infection with just one shot per year. These exciting results follow data published last year that the drug could provide virtually complete protection with a twice-a-year shot. Reducing the dosage even further will only improve adherence by reducing the cost and burden on those taking the drug and their health care providers. The two-dose formulation of the drug is already under regulatory review, but Gilead is planning a Phase 3 trial of the once-yearly version to begin later this year.

There is a well-known Chinese proverb that says, “Women hold up half the sky,” but when it comes to global health, sadly, humanity has a lot of ground to make up to close the stark gap between the health outcomes of women and men.While women tend to live longer than men, this longevity often comes with a greater burden of disease and disability, underscoring the urgency of addressing sex-based disparities in health care. Women, on average, spend 25 percent more of their lives in poor health compared to men, they are 52 percent more likely than men to have an adverse drug reaction and 29 percent more likely to die from one, and they’ve been found in one multi-decade study to be diagnosed later than men for more than 700 diseases. Research and development (R&D) for female-specific conditions also remains vastly underfunded: only 1 percent of R&D funding focuses on non-cancer-related women’s health.Yet despite these sobering statistics and new threats to the future of women’s health care and research funding, GHTC remains optimistic. With sustained support and investment, the scientific landscape holds immense potential to drive breakthroughs that can close these gaps and improve health outcomes for women worldwide.Thus, in recognition of International Women’s Day, GHTC is spotlighting five promising technologies in the research pipeline that could improve women’s health globally.1. A new treatment for gonorrheaGonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection, more prevalent among women than men, that can cause serious health issues—from pelvic inflammatory disease to infertility and ectopic pregnancies—if left untreated. Combating gonorrhea has become more complicated in recent years, as growing drug resistance has reduced the arsenal of available treatment options.But, excitingly, a new, much-needed breakthrough is on the brink. A first-in-class antibiotic, zoliflodacin, developed by GHTC member the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership, was found to be effective in a large-scale global Phase 3 clinical trial in 2023. If approved, it would become the first new antibiotic for treating gonorrhea in decades. The drug is also taken orally, which would simplify treatment administration for clinicians around the world, and its nonprofit developer, which is committed to delivering affordable access to the product, has the right to commercialize it in more than three-quarters of the world’s countries, including all low-income countries and most middle-income countries. Another second promising antibiotic for gonorrhea from GSK, gepotidacin, is also in late-stage development.2. A therapeutic vaccine for cervical cancerCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, claiming the lives of 350,000 women each year. Nine out of every ten cases of cervical cancer are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.Since the introduction of the first preventative HPV vaccine nearly two decades ago, global efforts have focused on expanding immunization coverage worldwide, as well as advancing research that has reduced vaccine schedules from multiple doses to just a single dose, easing administrative costs. Yet, despite these efforts, there remain significant gaps in immunization coverage—only 27 percent of girls worldwide received an HPV vaccine dose as of 2023—underscoring the need for additional complementary treatment and prevention tools.That’s where therapeutic cervical cancer vaccines could offer promise. What if we could administer a shot to patients who have already developed precancerous lesions due to HPV that could eliminate HPV-infected calls before those cells become cancerous? This theoretical possibility could become a reality in the future. A Phase II trial of the investigational therapeutic HPV vaccine Vvax001 reported results in January, finding that the vaccine successfully induced regression of precancerous lesions in half of all trial participants. Among patients with advanced precancerous lesions, the traditional intervention is surgery to remove the affected areas, which carries the risk of side effects and complications. An effective therapeutic vaccine could reduce the number of patients who ultimately require surgery and offer advantages as an intervention that is far easier and less costly to administer in resource-limited settings worldwide.3. Inhalable oxytocin to reduce PPHPostpartum hemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after childbirth, is the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. While the hormone oxytocin is often administered to women following childbirth to prevent PPH by causing the uterus to contract, oxytocin products are traditionally heat-sensitive and administered via injection or intravenously, which can make this intervention challenging to administer in certain settings around the world.To solve this issue, researchers at Monash University have developed an inhalable form of oxytocin that is formulated as a dry powder requiring no refrigeration. Prior clinical research has shown that the product is comparable in effect to injected oxytocin, and now, scientists are advancing research on the best means to administer it. In late 2023, a Phase I trial assessed administration of the product using a low-cost inhaler system called the ICOone. If this product ultimately reaches the market, it could offer a much-needed alternative that would make this lifesaving drug easier to store and administer to women in need, no matter where they live.4. Biodegradable contraceptive implantsMany women worldwide choose to use contraceptive implants as their contraceptive method. These products offer unique advantages for certain women: they are long-acting and easy to use; once inserted, there is no need for users to take or do anything on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. But eventually, they must be removed when they are no longer effective or when users change their reproductive plans. This removal procedure requires trained health care providers, and it can create an access barrier for women worldwide who live far away from health care facilities.That’s why researchers are working to advance biodegradable implants, which would dissolve into the body over time, eliminating the need for removal. In February 2024, GHTC member FHI 360 launched a Phase 1 trial of a biodegradable implant, Casea S, which aims to prevent pregnancy for 18 to 24 months. At the time, it marked the first biodegradable contraceptive implant to undergo human trials in over 20 years. While the trial will still take a few years to complete and further research will be required, if the implant is successful, it could not only help solve health care access challenges but could also address a middle-ground need between existing implants that last years and long-acting injectables, which usually last three months. FHI 360 also has a second biodegradable contraceptive implant in its portfolio, which is in early-stage development and uses a different contraceptive hormone.5. A new drug to prevent preeclampsiaPreeclampsia is a dangerous pregnancy-related condition that affects between 2 and 10 percent of pregnancies worldwide and claims the lives of more than 70,000 mothers and 50,000 babies each year. While low-dose aspirin and calcium supplements are recommended to women who are at high risk of the condition, there is currently no medicine approved specifically to prevent preeclampsia. That could change in the coming years thanks to emerging research.A British biotech company has developed an investigational, once-daily oral drug, MZe786, to prevent preeclampsia, which is in early-stage development. In animal studies, the drug, which is a form of aspirin that also releases hydrogen sulfide, elicited an improvement in maternal and fetal outcomes compared to aspirin alone. While further confirmation of these effects in human clinical trials is needed and it could be many years before such a product potentially reaches market, in 2022, the drug was awarded a fast-track development status by the United Kingdom’s regulatory agency, becoming the first pregnancy-related drug to receive this status, signifying its potential to address an urgent and unmet need.All five of these promising products are inspiring examples of the stepwise progress achieved through past investments in women’s health research, but we also hope that they will serve as a rallying cry to what more could be possible if we were to devote adequate resources to addressing these challenges.This International Women’s Day, we hope that the global community will further commit to investing in innovations for women’s health and to expanding the representation of women in clinical research. After all, closing the women’s health gap is not only essential to the well-being and future of millions of women and girls worldwide, but it will also enrich the well-being and economic stability of their families, communities, and nations. It’s a responsibility and opportunity we can’t ignore.

An estimated 257 million women globally who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe, modern contraceptive methods, leading to around 121 million unintended pregnancies globally every year—nearly half of all pregnancies. Ensuring all who wish to use contraception have access to safe, effective, and acceptable options can enable all people of reproductive potential to enjoy greater autonomy over their lives and health. To meet the diverse needs of people of reproductive age, we need a variety of new contraceptive choices, including options that are longer-lasting, more discreet, have fewer side effects, and require fewer visits to a health care provider, as well as additional options for men to take more of the burden of pregnancy prevention off the shoulders of women. In recognition of this year’s World Contraception Day, GHTC is highlighting six technological solutions in the pipeline that could enable greater access to contraception by breaking down barriers, especially for underserved populations and those in low-resource settings. 1. Next-generation contraceptive vaginal rings   Intravaginal rings—flexible silicone rings that are self-inserted into the body and release contraceptives—offer an easy-to-use, convenient, and discreet contraceptive option for many women worldwide. Today, women can choose from either a monthly or a yearly ring—the latter of which was developed by Population Council and first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018. However, both ring options use a combination of the same estrogen hormone, ethinyl estradiol, and different types of progestin hormones. While these hormone options work well for many individuals, for others, they can cause side effects or risks, creating a need for rings with alternative hormones and rings that are nonhormonal. Thankfully, several next-generation rings are on the horizon.These next-generation options include two rings under development by Population Council, which use alternative hormones. The first, the three-month Nestorone®/estradiol intravaginal ring uses a form of estrogen that, unlike ethinyl estradiol, is not associated with an increased risk of blood clots in the veins among women with a higher body mass index—who account for 15 percent of adult women. It is currently being evaluated for use in women with a higher body mass index in a Phase 2b study.  The second, the Nestorone®-only vaginal ring, has no estrogen, offering an alternative for those who have estrogen sensitivities, those who are at higher risk of blood clots, and postpartum breastfeeding mothers, who are often advised against using hormonal contraception that contains ethinyl estradiol due to its effect on milk production and composition. The ring will soon undergo a Phase 2 dose-finding study.On the nonhormonal front, Daré Bioscience is developing Ovaprene®, a monthly vaginal ring which uses a “semi-permeable polymer mesh barrier” to physically stop sperm from entering the cervical canal. Early clinical studies found that the ring is well-tolerated and acceptable to sexually active women and their partners. Additional clinical trial results announced in 2024 also demonstrated safety and efficacy, paving the way for a Phase 3 trial now underway.2. Biodegradable contraceptive implant  Today’s contraceptive implants are small, flexible rods inserted under the skin that continuously release hormones for pregnancy prevention. While they are safe and long-lasting, after three years, they must be removed by a medical provider. That can be an issue, particularly in low-resource settings worldwide where fewer trained health care workers, distance, and cost can serve as barriers to care. Biodegradable contraceptive implants, which dissolve into the body, offer promise as a more convenient option that could improve access by cutting out the need for a trip to a medical facility for device removal.FHI 360 and development partners pH Sciences and Gesea Biosciences, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, developed a biodegradable implant called Casea S, which can provide protection against unintended pregnancy for 18 to 24 months. The implant is now being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial, the first trial for a biodegradable contraceptive implant in more than 20 years.3. Microneedle contraceptive patches   Many women choose to use injectable forms of contraception for long-acting protection, but, for others, the need for regular shots and visits to a health care provider can make this a less desirable choice. But imagine if these injections were pain-free and did not require leaving home. That is the promise of microneedle or microarray patches, which are small Band-Aid-like patches that contain hundreds of microneedles that slowly release drugs into the body when pressed against the skin. The new technology, which is also being developed to deliver vaccines and therapeutics, could offer a discrete, user-controlled, and less painful option that could either be self-administered or administered by a health care provider with minimal training.  With support from the US Agency for International Development through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PATH is developing an easy-to-use, discreet, and self-administered contraceptive patch that could provide protection against unintended pregnancy and HIV, which is currently in preclinical development.FHI 360, in partnership with Population Council and the Georgia Institute of Technology, is also developing a three- to six-month, biodegradable, and progestin-only patch currently in the preclinical phase, with support from the US Agency for International Development and the Gates Foundation.4. Longer-acting contraceptive injectablesThe most commonly used contraceptive injection, depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), approved by FDA back in 1992, offers a longer-lasting option than the daily pill, with a three-month period between injections. However, DMPA requires users to return often to their health care providers, and it has the highest discontinuation rate among contraceptives in the United States due to unpleasant side effects like menstrual irregularities, weight gain, and bone density loss.FHI 360 is in the midst of a Phase 3 trial testing a six-month version of DMPA that is injected under the skin rather than into the muscle, which could offer a longer-lasting, lower-dose option that is more convenient and presents a lower risk of side effects for users. The product, which is the furthest-along six-month injectable in the pipeline, could be approved as early as 2025 or 2026 if trials prove successful.  FHI 360 is also developing a six-month self-injectable contraceptive that uses levonorgestrel rather than DMPA and is being advanced through Phase 1 clinical trials in collaboration with the Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, with funding from the Gates Foundation. This product could offer another longer-lasting option with potentially fewer side effects and the convenience of using it at home.  5. Male contraceptivesThe need for male contraceptive options beyond condoms and vasectomy to allow men to more equally share the responsibility of contraception has been widely and increasingly recognized. There are a number of technologies in development, including technologies that use hormones to disrupt the sperm creation process. Population Council has developed a novel, easy-to-use, and reversible gel hormonal contraceptive method that is applied daily to the shoulders and, if approved, would be the first-of-its-kind option for men. Early studies showed that it is well tolerated and causes no serious adverse events. A Phase 2b study yielded promising results, with a second part of the trial now underway. The gel, which could enter the final phase of testing in 2025 with the go-ahead from FDA, has made it excitingly far in a pipeline lacking in male contraceptive technologies beyond the preclinical stage.While hormonal strategies require a long time to start and stop working because of the considerable months-long sperm development process and could have side effects due to hormone disruption, there are also nonhormonal technologies in early-stage development. These nonhormonal strategies target specific processes later in sperm development and could start and stop working more quickly, perhaps even to the point of an on-demand product taken right before intercourse. One recent study in mice identified a new nonhormonal, reversible method that targets a protein complex important during sperm production, with the drug successfully stopping the process without producing side effects or causing irreversible effects. Another recent study in mice identified a different protein target necessary for fertility, finding similarly positive results.  Contraline and Next Life Sciences are also developing nonhormonal products that work by blocking the vas deferens, the tube in the male reproductive system that transports sperm, with an injectable gel. Contraline announced positive interim results from a first-in-human trial earlier this year. 6. Dual-use technologies for HIV, STI, and pregnancy preventionMultipurpose technologies that protect against unintended pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could be a game-changer in opening up access to prevention tools, particularly in low-resource settings, by reducing the burden on users and the health care system.In addition to the aforementioned microneedle patch for HIV and unintended pregnancy prevention, Population Council is developing several dual-use products. The two products likely to reach market fastest are a dual-use pill, which reformulates already approved medicines for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis and oral contraceptives into one tablet to be taken daily, and the dapivirine-levonorgestrel vaginal ring, which builds on the successful development of the one-month dapivirine ring for HIV prevention with a three-month ring that slowly releases the antiviral drug dapivirine and the contraceptive hormone levenorgestrel, drugs already approved in other forms. Other products in early development include a nonhormonal vaginal ring and a nonhormonal fast-dissolving vaginal insert, both designed to provide crosscutting protection against unintended pregnancy and STIs.Currently, contraceptive research and development is greatly underfunded, and there is an urgent need for new and improved products to better serve particular populations and those living in low-resource settings. The contraceptive technologies detailed above and others in the pipeline offer hope that we will in the future have a robust array of contraceptive options to ensure everyone globally who wants to use contraception has access to a product that works for them.