Male Contraceptive Initiative provides funding and advocacy support for the research and development of new methods of male contraception.
About MCI
Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Durham, NC and founded in 2014. Our focus is providing research and advocacy support for the development of new methods of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives in order to empower men and couples with the resources they need to meaningfully and equitably contribute to family planning goals.
Challenge
Each year, there are over 120 million unintended pregnancies experienced around the world, while the global population increases by over 80 million people. This constant human population growth has already translated to multiple significant challenges around the world, and will continue contributing to increased ecological degradation, conflict, climate change, natural disasters, global pandemics, and more. It is a reality that negatively impacts all of us. Consider this: unintended teen pregnancies in the United States are estimated to cost American taxpayers over $9 billion annually.
Increasing access to contraception in order to meet existing unmet needs in low- and middle- income countries alone would lead to a 68% reduction in unintended pregnancies; there are over 200 million women in these contexts actively seeking more and better methods.
When considering men, the contraceptive situation is even more dire as there are currently only two methods of contraception available to sperm-producers: condoms and vasectomy. Lack of acknowledgement of this inequity and the need for additional male-controlled methods persists despite demonstrated demand for more methods (with an estimated 17 million men in just the United States with unmet family planning needs) and over 60 years of research and development efforts.
Bringing a new drug to market is not easy, and it is very expensive: the estimated median capitalized research and development cost per product is nearly $1 billion. In most situations these costs are incurred by large pharmaceutical companies who then recoup these costs in the pricing of their products. However, most contraceptive products are not developed by pharmaceutical companies, rather the development is heavily subsidized by non-profit and government agencies.Given the layered challenges that contraceptive product development faces, It is imperative that researchers, advocates, and the general public support organizations like Male Contraceptive Initiative if we are to make male contraception a reality.
Increasing access to contraception in order to meet existing unmet needs in low- and middle- income countries alone would lead to a 68% reduction in unintended pregnancies; there are over 200 million women in these contexts actively seeking more and better methods.
When considering men, the contraceptive situation is even more dire as there are currently only two methods of contraception available to sperm-producers: condoms and vasectomy. Lack of acknowledgement of this inequity and the need for additional male-controlled methods persists despite demonstrated demand for more methods (with an estimated 17 million men in just the United States with unmet family planning needs) and over 60 years of research and development efforts.
Bringing a new drug to market is not easy, and it is very expensive: the estimated median capitalized research and development cost per product is nearly $1 billion. In most situations these costs are incurred by large pharmaceutical companies who then recoup these costs in the pricing of their products. However, most contraceptive products are not developed by pharmaceutical companies, rather the development is heavily subsidized by non-profit and government agencies.Given the layered challenges that contraceptive product development faces, It is imperative that researchers, advocates, and the general public support organizations like Male Contraceptive Initiative if we are to make male contraception a reality.
Vision & Mission
“Reproductive Autonomy for All”
Male Contraceptive Initiative’s vision is “Reproductive Autonomy for All”, and it is rooted in the foundation of the hopeful reality we work diligently to achieve: a world where everyone has the resources necessary for reproductive freedom. (You can learn more about our vision here).
While reproduction takes two people, the responsibilities, and subsequently resources, for family planning are overwhelmingly focused on women. This imbalance has far-reaching implications, negatively affecting issues as diverse as gender dynamics as well as rates of unintended pregnancies. Both egg- and sperm-producers need access to a robust method mix of contraceptives to meaningfully bring balance to contraceptive access and responsibility.
Male Contraceptive Initiative’s focus is on supporting the development of new forms of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives. We do this through funding and advocacy efforts, and we envision these novel contraceptives as tools that empower humans of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
While reproduction takes two people, the responsibilities, and subsequently resources, for family planning are overwhelmingly focused on women. This imbalance has far-reaching implications, negatively affecting issues as diverse as gender dynamics as well as rates of unintended pregnancies. Both egg- and sperm-producers need access to a robust method mix of contraceptives to meaningfully bring balance to contraceptive access and responsibility.
Male Contraceptive Initiative’s focus is on supporting the development of new forms of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives. We do this through funding and advocacy efforts, and we envision these novel contraceptives as tools that empower humans of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Impact
Male Contraceptive Initiative is working diligently to reimagine and bring an empowered, inclusive, choice‑maximized world of contraception to people globally. Our work will make the world a better place by transforming the contraceptive landscape to enable betterment and self‑determination for all people.
Providing additional methods of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives will expand the method mix by addressing an under-funded, under-researched area of contraceptive development. This will empower men, women, and couples to choose what is best for them throughout their reproductive journey as they choose whether or when to have children.
To best achieve our hopeful vision, we apply a human-centered, nimble approach to our organization’s operations which provide direct research funding and advocacy support. As a non-profit, we seek to maximize the impact of every dollar donated to us.
Providing additional methods of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives will expand the method mix by addressing an under-funded, under-researched area of contraceptive development. This will empower men, women, and couples to choose what is best for them throughout their reproductive journey as they choose whether or when to have children.
To best achieve our hopeful vision, we apply a human-centered, nimble approach to our organization’s operations which provide direct research funding and advocacy support. As a non-profit, we seek to maximize the impact of every dollar donated to us.
Collaboration
The field of male contraception research, development, and advocacy is a small but passionate group of researchers and advocates. Supporting the efforts of these dedicated professionals is a priority for Male Contraceptive Initiative and we seek to be a hub for the entire male contraceptive ecosystem: researchers, donors/investors, entrepreneurs, academics, students, future users, and more. As such, we encourage you to reach out to us and join us on our journey.
Together we will change the world and make “Reproductive Autonomy for All” a reality!
Together we will change the world and make “Reproductive Autonomy for All” a reality!
Transparency
Male Contraceptive Initiative is committed to transparency in all forms. We publish all research as open access, and encourage information sharing whenever possible. You can find our latest 990 here, and avail all publicly available tax information on our Guidestar profile, where we have achieved a Platinum Level Seal of Transparency.