Yourchoice Therapeutics launches groundbreaking study for non-hormonal male contraceptive

California-based researchers have initiated the first human trial for a hormone-free male birth control pill, marking a significant step towards shared contraceptive responsibility. The pill, developed by YourChoice Therapeutics, aims to offer men an effective and reversible birth control option without the use of hormonal agents.

Studies in mice demonstrated the pill’s success in reducing sperm count, achieving 99 percent effectiveness in preventing pregnancy, and proving both safe and reversible. Unlike existing drug candidates that use hormonal agents linked to serious side effects, this innovative pill blocks sperm production by obstructing access to vitamin A, employing a well-established pathway discovered in the 1930s.

According to YourChoice Therapeutics, the concept of a hormone-free male birth control pill has been a longstanding vision. The need for additional contraceptive options for men is evident, as the current choices are limited to condoms and vasectomy. The non-hormonal pill addresses concerns related to hormonal suppression of testosterone and potential side effects.

Gunda Georg, the developer of the pill and founding director of the Institutes for Therapeutics Discovery and Development, emphasized the importance of delivering a male contraceptive agent that is hormone-free. The pill’s approach targets the vitamin A signaling pathway, a method validated through nearly a century of research, with the added benefit of easy reversibility.

Akash Bakshi, co-founder and CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics, highlighted the attractiveness of the hormone-free pill for men, challenging the historical perspective that pregnancy prevention is solely a woman’s responsibility. The first phase of the study will focus on safety, tolerability, and other factors, with an estimated completion in mid-2024. However, further trials and clinical approval are required before the pill becomes widely available.

This groundbreaking development represents a significant leap forward in contraceptive options, potentially reshaping the landscape of birth control responsibility.