Latest news with #CommunicationsMedicine
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Contraceptive pill for men that doesn't alter hormones is safe to take, study suggests
Oral female contraceptive tablets have been available for 60 years but there has never been an authorised male version. Female tablets work by altering hormone levels to reduce the risk of conception but this approach has proven difficult in men because of severe side effects such as infertility and mood swings. These side effects are common in female versions. YourChoice Therapeutics has developed the first non-hormonal contraceptive for men which works by blocking the production of a protein, which is needed to produce sperm, and not meddling with hormones. The drug stops production of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-alpha) in the body and this prevents it binding to vitamin A compounds and subsequently prevents sperm production. Animal studies showed this mechanism to be 99pc effective and also found that sperm levels returned to normal after the medication was stopped, showing the contraceptive to be temporary and reversible. Human trials began in 2023 when 16 healthy men who had already had a vasectomy were recruited to test the safety of the drug in people. Data, published this week, show it to be safe and well-tolerated with no clinically relevant side effects in a significant step forward for the prospects of the drug, known as YCT-529. The trial of 16 British men gave participants either the tablet or a placebo and conducted analysis on the participants to measure their blood, urine, mood and overall health. Four different dosages were tested and all were found to be well-tolerated. The highest dose was the same as what was shown to be effective as a contraceptive in animal trials. There was no reduction in testosterone levels, sex drive or any other hormonal imbalance, the scientists found. 'The positive results from this first clinical trial laid the groundwork for a second trial, where men receive YCT-529 for 28 days and 90 days, to study safety and changes in sperm parameters,' the study authors write in their peer-reviewed study in the journal Communications Medicine.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
The male birth control pill is here; All you need to know about the pill to stop sperm production
A new era is about to begin in reproductive health. A new hormone-free contraceptive pill for men just passed its first major safety test in humans, marking a big step forward in gender equity. What's happening? An experimental male birth control pill, known as YCT-529, has successfully passed its first human trial. Cherry on top? No serious side effects have been reported so far. The early-stage clinical study involved 16 male participants between the ages of 32 and 59, all of whom had previously undergone vasectomies, a precaution to eliminate any risk of unintended pregnancy. The study, published in Communications Medicine on July 22, was designed to test safety and how the drug behaves in the body, not its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy just yet. Researchers monitored for any side effects, including hormonal imbalances, heart rate changes, mood disturbances, or issues with sexual function. The result? No significant red flags yet. What did the trial show? Before moving to human trials, the pill was tested on male mice and nonhuman primates. The results were impressive: In mice, 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Infertility was reversed 4–6 weeks after stopping the drug. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo In primates, sperm count dropped sharply within two weeks of use and returned to normal within 10–15 weeks after discontinuation. These preclinical trials laid the groundwork for human testing and demonstrated that the pill is both effective and reversible, a key concern for future users. After conducting trials in animals, the researchers moved on to the human trial. Here's how the first human trial was structured: Participants: 16 men who had previously undergone vasectomies. Groups: Some received a placebo, while others received either a low or high dose of the drug (up to 180 mg). Conditions: Most took the pill on an empty stomach, but some also tested it after meals to study absorption differences. Drug levels reached the necessary threshold in all cases, and researchers believe the final product will likely involve a daily 180 mg dose. No major side effects were seen, but the trial was too small to rule out all potential risks. How does the pill work Unlike traditional contraceptives, YCT-529 is hormone-free. It works by targeting a protein called the retinoic acid receptor alpha, which plays a critical role in sperm production. By blocking this receptor, the drug stops sperm from being produced, similar to removing a key from a lock, preventing the whole reproductive process from starting. The compound was developed through a collaboration between the University of Minnesota, Columbia University, and the biotech company YourChoice Therapeutics, which is also leading the clinical trials. What's next? The team is already conducting longer-term trials, where participants will take the drug for 28 to 90 days. These trials will assess both safety and sperm suppression effectiveness. Again, men with vasectomies or those who do not plan to have children are being recruited. Dr. Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington who wasn't involved in the study, called the development a 'critical first step,' adding that, 'We really need more reversible contraceptive methods for men.' (As reported by Live Science) Why is it a 'breakthrough'? Male birth control pills are not only era-defining in reproductive health, but also can be hoped to become a key element to move forward along the line of gender equity. Currently, men only have two contraception options: condoms or vasectomies. While vasectomy reversals are possible, they're not always successful. If approved, YCT-529 would become the first oral, hormone-free birth control pill for men, giving couples more options and sharing the responsibility of family planning more fairly. As Professor Gunda Georg, one of the lead scientists behind the drug, summed up the significance: "A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control," adding, "It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men." 7 best foods for kids to grow taller
India.com
6 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Birth control pill for males? Scientists developing hormone–free contraceptive tablet, sperms production...,name is...
Throughout history, expectations have been placed upon women's shoulders. Whether it is taking care of the home, raising children, relationship management, or even birth control, the responsibility seems to fall to women. Now, in a significant advancement in the development of a contraceptive pill for males, YCT-529 has passed its first human safety trial. The contraceptive tablet, YCT-529, which does not contain any hormones, has already demonstrated positive results in animal testing, preventing 99 per cent of pregnancies when tested in mice. Although further testing is necessary, this promising success in early testing brings greater hope that the pill may soon be a safe and effective birth control option for men. According to a Daily Mail report, the hormone-free contraceptive tablet YCT-529 works by blocking access to vitamin A within the testes, thus preventing sperm from being produced. Subsequently, it will not affect testosterone levels. Notably, a man's libido is unaffected while the pill is being taken. As experts hope to have a male contraceptive pill available by the end of this decade, this is the only one being tested in humans right now. In the most recent trial, researchers recruited 16 men, then gave them different dosages over several days. 'Instead of testing how effective it was in humans – all of the men had undergone vasectomies – the aim was to discover if there were any side–effects,' reads the Daily Mail report. Analysis indicated that participants did not have any significant changes in heart rate, hormonal function, inflammation, mood, or sexual function. The next stage for the researchers is to conduct larger trials to assess how effective the pill is at preventing sperm production in humans. Experts stated that the findings of this safety trial, published in Communications Medicine, represent an important first step to the pill becoming approved and available. According to the results of the safety trial, published in the journal Communications Medicine, a total of 16 male volunteers were enrolled to receive single oral doses of 10, 30, 90 or 180 mg of YCT-529 in the fasted state. Volunteers also received 30 mg in the fed state to study the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of YCT-529. What were the results of the test? Well, as per the results published in the Journal Communications Medicine, single doses of up to 180 mg of YCT-529 had no effects on heart rate, hormone (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone), sex hormone-binding globulin or inflammatory biomarker levels, sexual desire or mood. Further, there was no clear food effect on the pharmacokinetics of YCT-529. The name of the study is Safety and pharmacokinetics of the non-hormonal male contraceptive YCT-529.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Breakthrough In Male Birth Control As Hormone-Free Pill Passes Human Safety Test
Researchers have been working on experimental hormone-free male birth control pills, with its first safety test in humans just passed in a breakthrough. The latest results from the early phase 1 clinical trial were published on Tuesday in Communications Medicine. The daily pill, called YCT-529, works by blocking a vitamin A metabolite from binding to its receptor in the testes. It prevents sperm production without affecting hormone levels, the study revealed. The phase 1 clinical trial was conducted on 16 healthy men who had undergone vasectomies. The results showed that the drug was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported. The optimal dosage is expected to be around 180 mg, based on the trial results. However, further studies will determine the exact dosage. The trial did not assess the pill's efficacy in reducing sperm and preventing pregnancy, with the medicine developer, YourChoice Therapeutics, running trials to collect that data. However, Dr Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who wasn't involved in the study, said that the safety finding is a crucial milestone. "We really need more reversible contraceptive methods for men," Page said as quoted by Scientific American. Animal studies have shown that fertility returns within 4-6 weeks after stopping the drug in mice and 10-15 weeks in non-human primates. The pill would provide a safe, reversible and non-hormonal alternative to current male birth control methods, such as condoms and vasectomies. "A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control," Gunda Georg, who is a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, said in a statement. The drug molecule was developed there. "It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men." The pill is currently in phase 2 clinical trials. It may take several years to become available on the market, if it gets approval. Other options in development include NES/T, a hormonal gel, and ADAM, a hydrogel implant that acts as a reversible vasectomy. "The positive results from this first clinical trial laid the groundwork for a second trial, where men receive YCT-529 for 28 days and 90 days, to study safety and changes in sperm parameters," the study authors wrote in their paper.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
YourChoice Therapeutics announces second Nature publication
Peer-reviewed paper summarizes safety profile for hormone-free male birth control pill SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--YourChoice Therapeutics, Inc., pioneering hormone-free family planning products, today announced that Communications Medicine, a Nature Portfolio Journal, published the results of YCT-529's first-in-human study, which showed that single doses of the hormone-free birth control pill for men were well tolerated. YCT-529 is a retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-α) antagonist designed to be a first-in-class, hormone-free, orally administered male contraceptive. Positive results from the phase 1a study supported the candidate's current trial, which reinforces YCT-529 as the only non-hormonal birth control pill for men being evaluated in human studies. The manuscript, "Safety and Pharmacokinetics of the Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive YCT-529," showed that a single dose (up to 180 mg) of YCT-529 was well-tolerated in 16 male volunteers. Further, it had no effect on participants' heart rate, blood parameters, testosterone levels, sexual desire or mood. The publication follows a March 2025 publication describing YCT-529's preclinical studies, which showed it was 99 percent effective, 100 percent reversible within six weeks after cessation, and had no side effects in mice and non-human primates. The current clinical study is investigating multiple ascending doses (MAD) of the once-daily pill in up to 50 male volunteers to evaluate safety, tolerability and effect on sperm count. Lead author and YourChoice Therapeutics' Chief Science Officer Nadja Mannowetz, PhD, commented: "A peer-reviewed publication for our first-in-human study reinforces YCT-529's strong safety profile. It also shows 'the Pill for men' had no effect on sexual desire or mood. Two back-to-back publications demonstrate our commitment to conducting rigorous studies, which strengthens our ability to develop the first hormone-free birth control pill for men efficiently and as expeditiously as possible to meet the growing demand." Nearly half of all pregnancies globally are unintended, suggesting an urgent need for more male contraceptive options. There is also high demand for new methods. A recent study showed men are very interested in using new male contraceptive options and women are confident they'll take them correctly. YCT-529 is on track to be a novel option. It blocks sperm production by disrupting vitamin A metabolism in the testes. It specifically inhibits retinoic acid from binding to its receptor, RAR-α, a pathway essential for sperm development and supported by nearly a century of research. "Studies and surveys continue to show that men want to share the burden of pregnancy prevention with their partners," said Akash Bakshi, CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics. "But they have just one non-permanent contraceptive option—condoms—and it's 170 years old. Innovation is long overdue. Data show men favor an oral contraceptive and one that's hormone-free, positioning YCT-529 as potentially transformative for a healthcare segment that's been stagnant for more than a century and a half." UK-based Quotient Sciences conducted the phase 1a study, which began in December 2023 and was completed in June 2024. New Zealand-based NZCR is conducting the current study. About YCT-529YCT-529, a first-in-class new chemical entity, is a retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-α) inhibitor that is designed to prevent production of sperm cells in the testes as well as their release. YourChoice Therapeutics is currently assessing safety and efficacy of YCT-529 in a phase 1b/2a clinical trial in New Zealand as the first non-hormonal, oral male contraceptive. YourChoice Therapeutics developed YCT-529 in collaboration with Dr. Gunda Georg, a globally recognized medicinal chemist and awardee of one of the largest NIH-funded Contraceptive Centers. The Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI) has been committed to funding the early research and YCT-529's phase one clinical trial in men. About YourChoice TherapeuticsYourChoice Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing the first hormone-free birth control pill for men. Based in San Francisco, the company is advancing the only male pill in human studies. Preclinical studies showed YCT-529 performed as effectively or better than the female birth control pill, and a phase 1a study demonstrated that YCT-529 was well tolerated by men. Future programs will apply the company's patented therapeutic platform to develop hormone-free family planning products for women. Established in 2018, the company received a $15M Series A investment in 2022. For more information, visit and follow the company on LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts Media:Shanti Skiffingtonshanti@ 617.921.0808 Sign in to access your portfolio
