Today, almost all birth control options available are female birth control pills. But biotech’s Contraline claims that clinical trials of its non-hormonal and reversible male birth control pills have reached a critical milestone.
Contraline announced in a press release released today that its male birth control pill, called Adam, has proven to be effective and safe for 24 months, the first human clinical trial. Although their clinical results have not been published in scientific journals, the company plans to release additional data during the April 26 American Urology Association (AUA) meeting.
Adam is a water-soluble hydrogel that is injected into VASA prolonged, which is the male two tubes that transfer sperm from the testicles to the urethra of the male – Via is a smaller procedure. The implants block sperm while still allowing ejaculation, and Contraline has been using it as a future, long-term, reversible alternative to condoms and flow resections.
“Our goal is to create a male contraceptive option that lasts for two years that directly meets consumer needs,” Contraline Chief Medical Officer Alexander Pastuszak said in a press release. “These findings confirm that our novel water-soluble hydrogel Adam can achieve the expected lifespan. We remain optimistic about its safety, effectiveness, and reversibility, and its potential to provide greater reproductive control for both men and couples.”
This milestone is based on two participants in the first human clinical trial that showed abscess (no sperm in ejaculation) at 24 months. In a previous press release, Contraline claimed that Adam reduced the number of sperm transported by 99.8% to 100.0% within 30 days of implantation.
“These results “bring us closer to changing the contraceptive landscape,” said Kevin Eisenfrats, co-founder and CEO of Contraline. They suggest that “it’s possible to reach similar levels of long-acting female birth control pills like IUDS.” Ultimately, when considering the option of contraception, I wanted to make Adam a “unclever” for men. “An IUD or IU device is a small female contraceptive device inserted into the uterus.
According to a recent press release, none of the participants reported serious adverse events or faced unexpected safety issues. Researchers conducting clinical trials will continue to monitor other participants at markers of 12, 15, 15, 18 and 21 months through laboratory and home sperm tests. In addition, Contraline has received comprehensive regulatory approval to begin the second phase of the study.
However, Jon Oatley, a professor at Washington State University’s School of Molecular Biological Sciences, noted that there is no public data yet to confirm that Adam implants are reversible, and that researchers are still unaware of the long-term effects of preventing Vasa deferentia, as he told The Guardian. Otterly also recommends that most men prefer birth control pills or patches instead of surgery.
However, data from 2017 to 2019 show that 10.4% of women aged 15 to 49 used long-acting reversible birth control pills, such as IUDS or other contraceptive implants that require procedures. This is only four points behind the pills 14%. If Adam does indeed prove to be safe and effective, then perhaps a large number of men will also choose the long-term efficacy of injections rather than the short-term practicality of other birth control pills.
