Research
Although CONRAD is unable to provide funding for those who are seeking grants for new initiatives, we continue to work on the following products:
Non-hormonal approaches to male and female contraception
Partner: Schering AG
Work continues on several promising new targets for non-hormonal approaches to male and female contraception, all at a very early stage of development in animal models. CONRAD/CICCR partnered with Schering AG to jointly support two networks of investigators to evaluate targets for contraception, one network for male leads (AMPPA-II) and one network for female leads (Female AMPPA). Although both partners judged the collaboration successful, completion of the development activities was constrained by available resources and corporate re-prioritization that occurred when Bayer AG took over Schering AG in early 2006 and as a result, this collaboration ended in 2007, however research continues.
Since its founding in 1986, CONRAD has been internationally renowned for its leadership in developing new, safe and affordable contraceptive products and services. CONRAD continues building on its past efforts as it links basic and clinical research and brings investigators in the laboratory and the field together, whether they are in agencies, non-governmental organizations, foundations or the private sector. Through these efforts, human reproduction is becoming more of a choice than accident for millions of families in developing countries. Contraception is a means for individuals to space or limit their family size and thus prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Contraceptive Candidates: CONRAD scientists and investigators are advancing research and development on new contraceptives for both women and men.
Male contraceptives:
TU/NET-EN – Exogenous testosterone can suppress spermatogenesis, thus providing men with a hormonal contraceptive. During 2008, CONRAD, in collaboration with WHO, began testing the safety and efficacy of testosterone undecanoate (TU) and norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) in a Phase IIb trial involving 400 couples from ten sites in seven countries. Volunteers are currently being enrolled.
Other potential candidates: Limiting male contraception to vasectomies and condoms, as is the case today, is very restrictive. CONRAD investigators are aggressively researching seven different compounds that can disrupt sperm function between genesis and motility, so that safe, effective and inexpensive contraceptives can be offered to men.
Female contraceptives:
Physical barriers: During 2008 and continuing today, CONRAD is testing the reusable, one-size-fits-most, silicone diaphragm, called SILCS. Its acceptability makes it a promising candidate for a contraceptive.
Chemical inhibitors: In vitro research has been analyzing compounds, especially their pharmokinetics, to identify new classes of compounds that promote contraception. Currently CONRAD scientists and investigators are researching several peptide antagonists that prevent pregnancy. Specifically a metabolically resistant analog of gonadotropin releasing hormone and antagonists to the receptors of various interleukins and enzymes that are important for establishing pregnancy are under examination. The ability to formulate promising compounds into vaginal gels, as a method for delivering the peptides, is also ongoing.
Films, rings and boluses: Creams, gels and other semi-solids require an applicator, which makes them harder to apply, especially in developing countries. For this reason, CONRAD has analyzed the feasibility of fast-dissolve films, tablets or capsules as alternative methods of vaginal delivery of contraceptives and/or HIV and STI inhibitors.
Emergency contraception: Meloxicam, which is an anti-inflammatory, nonsteroidal drug, has been shown in clinical trials to have probable utility as an emergency contraceptive, either when combined with levonogrestrel (LNG) or as a standalone product. CONRAD scientists are continuing to investigate these contraceptive capabilities as well as its use as a potential monthly contraceptive.
Dual Protection: The ability to use a single product or application to protect women from an unwanted pregnancy and from sexually transmitted diseases would provide women with a simplified, more acceptable, and potentially less expensive choice for protection. To this end, CONRAD is developing contraception/anti-HIV, anti-HIV/anti-STI, and dual anti-HIV microbicide technologies.