Two School of Pharmacy faculty members are working to develop a film-based nonhormonal contraceptive with up to $1.4 million in funding from the Gates Foundation.
The researchers, Sravan Patel, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and Lisa Rohan, professor of pharmaceutical sciences, are developing a vaginal film as an on-demand contraceptive. They are working with a nonhormonal contraceptive candidate, polyphenylene carboxymethylene (PPCM), which is being developed by Yaso Therapeutics. In preclinical studies, PPCM has shown contraceptive properties.
An estimated 214 million women worldwide have an unmet need for contraception. “This product has the potential to offer women a new contraceptive option that is nonhormonal, affordable and woman-controlled,” Patel said.
The development will be conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and Magee-Womens Research Institute, the nation’s largest freestanding research institute dedicated to women’s health and reproductive biology.