Non-hormonal male contraceptive implant lasts at least two years in trials
An implantable, non-hormonal male contraceptive has been shown to last for at least two years, a trial has found.
The contraceptive, known as Adam, is a water-soluble hydrogel that is implanted in the sperm ducts, preventing sperm from mixing with semen.
The company behind the product, Contraline, says the approach offers a reversible alternative to condoms and vasectomies, with the hydrogel designed to break down in the body after a set period of time, restoring fertility.
Now Contraline has released details of its phase 1 clinical trial, revealing Adam can successfully block the release of sperm for 24 months, with no sperm detected in the semen of the two participants who have so far reached this time point in the trial. In addition, it said no serious adverse events had been recorded.
'This is really exciting, because our goal since day one has been to create a two-year-long male contraceptive – that is what the demand is for: a two-year-long, temporary or reversible male birth control. And we have the first data to show that that's possible,' said Kevin Eisenfrats, the founder and chief executive of Contraline.
Eisenfrats said the 25 participants in the clinical trial were enrolled at different points in time, with more results expected to follow.
'It's great proof of concept,' he added..
Eisenfrats said the implant was inserted in a minimally invasive procedure that took about 10 minutes and used local anaesthetic, meaning the patient remained awake.
Adam is not the first male contraceptive in development that acts by blocking the sperm ducts (vas defrens), although Eisenfrats said some other implants had used materials that did not break down in the body, adding there was little data to show fertility was restored after they were removed, while there were also concerns such implants could cause scarring of the vas defrens and lead to permanent sterilisation.
The results from the Adam clinical trial have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal and do not include data on the reversibility of the implant. However, Eisenfrats said the hydrogel had a predictable lifespan and had been shown to break down over time in animal trials, with work using lower doses in men revealing a shorter period of efficacy.
'The way to think about this is sort of like the IUD [intrauterine device] for men,' said Eisenfrats, adding after a two-year period men could decide whether to get another implant. The team is working on a procedure to enable 'on-demand reversal'. Eisenfrats said sperm tests could be used by men at home to check whether the contraceptive was still effective.
Contraline said it was expecting to begin a phase 2 clinical trial in Australia later this year, involving 30 to 50 participants.
1
Prof Richard Anderson, an expert in hormonal male contraception at the University of Edinburgh, welcomed the findings. 'It's impressive that this looks like something that does actually work, which is great,' he said.
'We've now got hormonal and non-hormonal methods in advanced clinical development, which is potentially a much better position than we've been in previously in terms of actually getting something on the market for men to really use.'
But Anderson and Prof Jon Oatley of Washington State University said at present no data had been released showing the reversibility of the Adam implant, and it remained unclear how long a single implant actually lasted for.
Anderson also said it had yet to be shown that the implant could be removed, while Oatley said the long-term ramifications of blocking the vas defrens were unknown.
Oatley added that while the Adam implant could be a strong contraceptive option for men, uptake may be limited.
'Given a choice of a pill, patch, injectable, or surgery I believe that most men would choose pill or patch over surgery,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
14 Scottish universities ranked from best to worst in Complete University Guide 2026
The Complete University Guide has released its league tables that rank the best universities in the UK – and we've looked at the data to put together a list of Scotland's best unis. Every year, the respected guide publishes its UK university and subject league tables to help prospective students make informed choices. The main league table is based on ten measures: entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, research intensity, academic services spend, spending on student facilities, continuation, student-staff ratio, graduate prospects – outcomes, and graduate prospects – on track. Take a look through our photo gallery to see Scotland's 14 universities ranked from best to worst – and find out how they rank compared to unis across the UK. 1 . 14 Scottish universities ranked from best to worst Take a look through our gallery to see 14 Scottish universities ranked from best to worst, according to the Complete University Guide 2026. Photo: Pixabay Photo: Pixabay Photo Sales 2 . The University of St Andrews Scotland rank: 1. UK rank: 4. Seven centuries of history link the students with the town, leading to the ancient and yet modern institution apparent today. Photo: Third Party Photo Sales 3 . University of Edinburgh Scotland rank: 2. UK rank: 18. From Nobel laureates and Olympic champions to space explorers and prime ministers, the University of Edinburgh has been influencing history since it opened the gates to its first students in 1583. Photo: Third Party Photo Sales 4 . Heriot-Watt University Scotland rank: 3. UK rank: 25. It was established in 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh, the world's first mechanics' institute, and subsequently granted university status by royal charter in 1966. Heriot-Watt University is the eighth-oldest higher education institute in the UK. Photo: Third Party Photo Sales
The Independent
15 hours ago
- The Independent
Gaps in genetic testing mean some patients not informed about cancer risk
A new study reveals inconsistencies in genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, potentially leaving cancer patients and their families unaware of their risk of developing other cancers. Lynch syndrome is a rare hereditary condition that elevates the risk of bowel, womb, and ovarian cancers due to a gene mutation affecting DNA error correction. The University of Edinburgh study examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients and found that while 91 per cent of tumours were tested for Lynch syndrome markers, the results were not always communicated to clinical teams, hindering follow-up genetic counselling. Of the 181 eligible participants, only 64 per cent were referred for genetic counselling, and due to long waits and high dropout rates, only 48 per cent ultimately received the test. Dr. Neil Ryan from the University of Edinburgh emphasises the need for mainstream testing to be truly mainstream to ensure timely diagnosis and reduce cancer risk for patients and their relatives.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
More testing needed for genetic cancer risk as too many women ‘missed', experts say
A new study has revealed that families of some cancer patients are being denied the opportunity to learn about their potential cancer risk due to inconsistencies in genetic testing. Academics have warned that the absence of adequate testing for Lynch syndrome is leaving some cancer patients unaware of their risk of developing other cancers. Lynch syndrome, a rare hereditary condition, elevates the risk of cancers of the bowel, womb, and ovaries. It arises from a gene mutation affecting DNA error correction during replication, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth. NHS guidelines stipulate that patients with bowel or womb cancer should undergo tumour assessments for Lynch syndrome markers. The identification of these markers should prompt a referral for genetic testing, confirming the diagnosis and enabling access to support and guidance regarding cancer risks for both the patients and their families. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. They found that 91 per cent of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64 per cent) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48 per cent of those eligible went on to get the test. Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.'
