Male Contraceptive Initiative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, today announced that it has partnered with the medical device company Contraline to provide a $1 million Program Related Investment to support a first-in-human clinical trial for the company’s novel vas-occlusive contraceptive device, ADAM™.
This is the first PRI from Male Contraceptive Initiative and is representative of the organization’s continued evolution. “We are very excited about adding program-related investments to our portfolio as a means of accelerating male contraceptive product development through a “team science” approach. Returns on these investments will go directly back into supporting research efforts to continue driving the field of non-hormonal male contraception forward,” said MCI Executive Director Heather Vahdat. “Contraline is a particularly exciting investment opportunity as they are the first US-based company to bring a novel non-hormonal male contraceptive to the clinical stage; it shows that we are moving closer and closer to realizing a more robust portfolio of contraceptive options that includes more methods for men,” Ms. Vahdat added.
Contraline has developed ADAM™, an injectable hydrogel designed to provide long-lasting barrier contraception for men. ADAM is designed to be inserted into the vas deferens through a quick and minimally invasive outpatient procedure using local anesthesia, where the hydrogel blocks the flow of sperm without affecting sensation or ejaculation. ADAM may be the first set-and-forget male contraceptive method, similar to intrauterine devices (IUDs) for women.
MCI’s investment in Contraline will be used to establish proof-of-concept of safety and feasibility of the ADAM device and procedure through a human clinical trial. This is an important first step prior to conducting a larger efficacy study required for gaining regulatory approval and widespread consumer access to the procedure.
“We have been excited about Contraline’s technology since 2018, when we provided them with a grant to validate their benchtop and preclinical studies. Given the success of their science to date, we are pleased to expand our collaboration as Contraline continues advancing their male contraceptive towards the clinic,” said MCI Research Director Dr. Logan Nickels.
“We are grateful to MCI for their dedication to supporting innovation in male contraception and for recognizing the transformative potential of ADAM,” said Kevin Eisenfrats, Contraline co-founder and chief executive officer. “At Contraline, we are dedicated to developing new options for men who desire to take control of their fertility and we look forward to having our lead product, ADAM, enter the clinic soon.”
With over $5 million invested in product development, MCI seeks to advance male contraceptive research projects to market in order to achieve its organizational vision of “Reproductive Autonomy for All”.
