Germany-based Meliodays Medical has signed an agreement with Celanese Corporation to support pre-clinical development of MelioOne, a hormone-free non-contraceptive intrauterine device designed to deliver localized relief for menstrual pain. The partnership combines Celanese’s VitalDose Drug Delivery Platform with Meliodays’ IUD design and non-hormonal active pharmaceutical ingredient.
MelioOne is positioned as the first hormone-free non-contraceptive IUD specifically designed to treat menstrual pain through localized drug delivery. The device aims to target pain at its source while avoiding systemic side effects associated with oral pain medications.
Celanese’s VitalDose platform provides controlled-release performance for various molecule types and has been used in approved parenteral drug products in the United States and Europe for more than two decades. The platform has a history of use in women’s health treatments through patient-centric dose forms.
“More than 80% of menstruating people experience period pain and cramps,” said Simone Sabbione, CEO and Co-Founder of Meliodays. “Our partnering with Celanese marks the first milestone in achieving our mission to address menstrual pain management solutions. Our localized release targets pain at its source, avoiding the systemic side effects often associated with oral intake of pain medication.”
The partnership addresses what Meliodays describes as high unmet medical need in menstrual pain treatment. The company’s approach aims to enable pain-free periods without affecting the natural menstrual cycle, differentiating it from hormonal contraceptive IUDs that can alter menstruation patterns.
“We are excited to partner with Meliodays in its early development of an IUD in hopes that it ultimately progresses into treatment plans prescribed by healthcare providers to relieve women of menstrual pain,” said Brian Duke, Senior Marketing Manager of Pharmaceutical Solutions at Celanese.
