“Pregnancy is in itself a health risk for women. So you could argue that women are trading one risk for another, and men are not. It’s nice to see the interest this is generating because, at the end of the day, for this to actually be used and be marketed, we need people to be interested in it.”
- Dr. Arthri Thirumalai,
Male Contraceptive Study Collaboratorat the University of Washington
Introduction: Sustaining Impact
Distilling a year's worth of achievements in such a dynamic field as male contraception funding can be daunting. Yet, it's a task we relish annually. This year's report celebrates the collective impact of our team, grantees, and supporters. It's a humbling reminder of the immense privilege (and responsibility!) of championing this critical work.
During this period of introspection and reflection, the MCI staff looked to identify a throughline that captured the essence of the activities that defined 2023. After evaluating our efforts, we arrived at “Sustaining Impact” as the theme for 2023.
Here are some of the ways that we championed sustaining impact in 2023:
During this period of introspection and reflection, the MCI staff looked to identify a throughline that captured the essence of the activities that defined 2023. After evaluating our efforts, we arrived at “Sustaining Impact” as the theme for 2023.
Here are some of the ways that we championed sustaining impact in 2023:
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We co-sponsored an international market research study to develop an understanding of the demand for male contraception, men’s interest in and preferences for novel forms of male birth control, and the level of trust that female partners have in their male partners to use birth control.
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We collaborated with our "Team Science" cohort to explore the potential of simultaneous drug introduction for male contraception; by identifying analogous therapeutics, we aimed to inspire innovative approaches to this critical area.
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We continued to support research efforts in the non-hormonal male contraceptive space with 10 new grants and 2 new fellowships awarded, totaling over $3 million dollars.
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We continued supporting the next generation of researchers and advocates through our Trainee Support, Youth Advisory Board, and Campus Ambassador programs to empower students and young professionals worldwide to be empowered advocates for male contraception and our mission of achieving “Reproductive Autonomy for All”.
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We are pleased to share these successes with you and invite you to review the following sections for additional details that define an unforgettable year spent building momentum together.
“I think as research continues, more men will be open to it—particularly men broadly interested in social justice, or personally interested in helping a female partner...Our society is moving towards more gender equality in many areas. This is an obvious next step.”
- Daniel,
Male Birth Control Trial Participant
Male Contraceptive Initiative's Executive Director Heather Vahdat's Annual Letter
Dear All,
This year marks a significant milestone for MCI – our 10th anniversary of championing "Reproductive Autonomy for All." This vision is rooted in our unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe access to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that promoting male birth control methods (for people who produce sperm) is key to achieving reproductive autonomy.
This year marks a significant milestone for MCI – our 10th anniversary of championing "Reproductive Autonomy for All." This vision is rooted in our unwavering commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe access to reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that promoting male birth control methods (for people who produce sperm) is key to achieving reproductive autonomy.
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For far too long, the burden of preventing pregnancy has disproportionately impacted the health, well-being, and opportunities of those who can become pregnant. This not only creates an unfair burden, but also prevents half the population from having control over their reproductive choices.
By fostering the development of safe, effective, and accessible male birth control methods, we aim to empower individuals and couples to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and bridge the existing gender gap. We recognize there's no single solution – our focus is on a diverse range of methods catering to evolving needs throughout life's journey. |
MCI's 10th Anniversary Logo
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This annual report showcases the significant progress we've made over the past year – funding innovative research, advocating for systemic changes, and collaborating to raise awareness and drive conversations about the importance of male birth control. There's still a path ahead, but we remain steadfast in our mission to make a wider array of male contraceptive options a reality.
This journey wouldn't have been possible without you. Your continued support of MCI and the field of non-hormonal male contraception fuels our fight for health equity and social justice. We send our deepest gratitude.
Warm regards,
This journey wouldn't have been possible without you. Your continued support of MCI and the field of non-hormonal male contraception fuels our fight for health equity and social justice. We send our deepest gratitude.
Warm regards,
Heather Vahdat, MPH
MCI Executive Director
MCI Executive Director
“We have to stop looking at contraception as either for men or for women. Like conception, you need two people. So with the onus being on women, we’ve gendered the term contraception, but really it is about two people preventing an unintended pregnancy.”
- Heather Vahdat, MPH,
MCI's Executive Director
A Decade of MCI: Organizational & Contraceptive Milestones 2014-2023
For the past ten years, Male Contraceptive Initiative has been at the forefront of revolutionizing reproductive health. Our unwavering commitment to developing non-hormonal, reversible male contraception has driven us to invest in groundbreaking research, forge strategic partnerships, and advocate tirelessly for this critical cause.
The infographic below shares some highlights of our significant milestones and the transformative impact we've made on the field.
The infographic below shares some highlights of our significant milestones and the transformative impact we've made on the field.
Highlights from MCI's first 10 years
While MCI has been at the forefront of developing safe and effective male contraceptive options over the past decade, our work has been transforming the landscape of reproductive health by empowering individuals and couples to make informed choices about family planning.
Explore our impact and discover how your support is driving us closer to a future where contraception is equitable and accessible for all:
Explore our impact and discover how your support is driving us closer to a future where contraception is equitable and accessible for all:
While it is great for us to tout our own successes, please don’t just take our word for it! In this video, you'll hear directly from those whose lives have been impacted by our work. From researchers making groundbreaking discoveries to individuals experiencing greater autonomy, their stories are a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of shared responsibility in family planning:
Reflecting on 10 years of MCI Video
"Reproductive choice should be a choice for everyone involved, at all stages of the process!"
- Retroflux,
MCI Donor
MCI's Organizational Overview
Family planning shouldn't be a one-sided responsibility. Yet, men currently have limited options – condoms (87% effective) and vasectomy (permanent). This puts the burden of birth control primarily on women and contributes to the 120 million unintended pregnancies globally each year.
Founded in 2014, MCI is a global leader in driving the development of safe, non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives. We believe empowering men with more choices fosters reproductive autonomy for all genders. We're reimagining contraception to be inclusive. True reproductive autonomy for everyone requires options for everyone.
MCI works through two key pillars of activity:
Founded in 2014, MCI is a global leader in driving the development of safe, non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives. We believe empowering men with more choices fosters reproductive autonomy for all genders. We're reimagining contraception to be inclusive. True reproductive autonomy for everyone requires options for everyone.
MCI works through two key pillars of activity:
Funding Innovation
We support researchers developing new male contraceptive methods with grants, investments, and professional development. |
Championing Advocacy
We raise public awareness through a robust online presence, educational resources, and outreach efforts. |
By expanding male contraceptive options, we aim to:
MCI is committed to creating a future where all genders have the power to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
- Reduce unintended pregnancies
- Increase user satisfaction with birth control methods
- Boost overall contraceptive use
- Address unmet needs in family planning
MCI is committed to creating a future where all genders have the power to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
MCI's Theory of Change
“The options for men are woeful. I mean, I could either have a vasectomy or use condoms, and the rate of successful condoms is patchy at best. I don’t know a single guy who wants to have an accidental child. It’s their choice if they don’t want to take it, but they will! If it’s available, it’s safe, it’s free - this is going to be a massive change.”
- James,
Male Birth Control Trial Participant
2023 Highlights
Our guiding principles serve as the compass for our journey towards "Reproductive Autonomy for All." Every action aligns with our mission, propelling us closer to a world where all individuals have control over their reproductive health.
This infographic highlights our 2023 achievements, each directly connected to our core principles. It demonstrates how our daily work translates into tangible progress toward a more equitable future.
This infographic highlights our 2023 achievements, each directly connected to our core principles. It demonstrates how our daily work translates into tangible progress toward a more equitable future.
MCI's 2023 Highlights
“It would be a really great thing for women – it would mean they’d have more of a choice, rather than simply being expected to take a hormonal contraceptive potentially long term. The biggest impact will be how men see women – they’ll have a bit more understanding of what women have been forced to deal with for decades.”
- Thomas, 30
Funding
Maximizing impact and accelerating research are at the heart of our investment strategy for male contraceptives. We prioritize funding programs that directly fuel the development of new methods and nurture the next generation of researchers and advocates. This two-pronged approach positions MCI to deliver both short-term and long-term impact.
The graphic below provides detail into how we utilized our 2023 funding to advance the male contraception field:
The graphic below provides detail into how we utilized our 2023 funding to advance the male contraception field:
Male Contraceptive Initiative's 2023 Funding Activities
“I feel birth control should be free for many reasons. Not everyone has or can afford insurance, so many women aren’t on birth control for that reason. So, one or two things need to happen: One, insurance becomes free or affordable. Or two, birth control was free in order to help control the amount of unwanted pregnancies.”
- Z'Nyiah, 19
Research
Grantees & Investment Partners
Our funding strategy goes beyond just grants. We offer a diverse mix of support to accelerate male contraceptive development:
This holistic approach provides support at every step of the product development journey. Our grants are specifically designed for maximum impact, fostering collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and borders. Additionally, we make strategic investments in research on attitudes, social factors, and the demand for new methods, highlighting the need and potential impact of male contraception.
Meet the Grantees and Investment Partners that received support from Male Contraceptive Initiative in 2023:
Our funding strategy goes beyond just grants. We offer a diverse mix of support to accelerate male contraceptive development:
- Research Grants: Designed to propel promising research forward.
- Program-Related Investments (PRIs): Fueling breakthroughs in innovative technologies.
- Trainee Support Awards: Nurturing the next generation of male contraceptive experts.
This holistic approach provides support at every step of the product development journey. Our grants are specifically designed for maximum impact, fostering collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and borders. Additionally, we make strategic investments in research on attitudes, social factors, and the demand for new methods, highlighting the need and potential impact of male contraception.
Meet the Grantees and Investment Partners that received support from Male Contraceptive Initiative in 2023:
Entrelac.coop
MCI is supporting Entrelac.coop in their pursuit of clinical trials of the Androswitch to demonstrate its safety and efficacy in men. Our grant first supports the development and the regulatory certification of the Androswitch’s manufacture as well as studies that are required on the path to its approval as a male contraceptive. |
Dr. Gunda Georg
With MCI’s support, Gunda’s lab is investigating multiple avenues of male contraception. One is the testis-specific serine kinase (TSSK) family, where she is looking for inhibitors of TSSK1 and TSSK2. These proteins are expressed post-meiotically, and are likely involved in multiple steps that could make them excellent contraceptive targets. The other target, Na, K ATPase is involved in sperm motility, and could potentially be targeted for either male or female contraception. MCI’s support for Dr. Georg’s work comes in the form of grants as well as a program-related investment. |
NEXT Life Sciences
MCI’s grant to NEXT Life Sciences will support their clinical trials of Plan A™ Contraception, which is being developed as a long-acting, non-hormonal, and reversible male contraceptive method with developmental roots dating back to the1970s. |
Sacyl Pharmaceuticals
MCI’s support facilitates the development of novel sAC inhibitors as on-demand contraceptives for men by optimizing the safety and efficacy of new compounds. These steps are crucial to overcome the high bar that will be required of any new contraceptive product. |
Nuapoch, Inc.
MCI is supporting Nuapoch’s efforts to determine the three-dimensional structure and key functional domains of an epididymal protein involved in sperm maturation, to enable its targeting with new contraceptive drugs. |
Dr. Deborah Anderson
MCI’s support of Dr. Anderson’s work utilizes their Human Contraceptive Antibody (HCA) and incorporates it into lubricants and bioadhesive polymers as a male or couples’ method of contraception. As a part of the work, compatibility, stability, and functional activity of the antibody will be tested using a simulated model. The antibody is concurrently being developed in a vaginal film and tested in first-in-human studies. |
Dr. John Howl
MCI’s support for Dr. Howl’s team facilitates the optimization of STOPSPERM bioportides, which are small peptides that can interrupt protein-protein interactions required for fertility. This global collaboration includes investigators Margarida Fardilha at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, David Craik at the University of Queensland in Australia, and Erick Silva at the, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu-SP, Brazil. |
Dr. Steven L'Hernault
MCI has continued our funding of Dr. L’Hernault's work to discover male contraceptive lead compounds that block the function of IZUMO1. The goal is to identify small compounds that, when used to treat C. elegans expressing a SPE-45-human IZUMO1 hybrid protein, render them reversibly sterile because they produce fertilization-incompetent spermatozoa. While these initial studies will occur in nematodes, subsequent future studies will evaluate lead compounds for their ability to block mouse in vitro fertilization prior to any large-scale, expensive whole mammal/human studies. |
Dr. Pablo Visconti
MCI is supporting the Visconti lab to study the biological role of TSSKs. Using CRISPR/Cas9, his laboratory has generated mice knock-out models lacking individual TSSKs. These models are essential to validate drug-discovery efforts conducted in collaboration with Dr. Georg. TSSK proteins are expressed post-meiotically in testicular round spermatids and play a role in spermiogenesis. Interestingly, these kinases remain present in mature sperm suggesting that small molecules inhibiting these kinases have the potential to be used as on-demand, reversible and non-hormonal male contraceptives. MCI will support Dr. Visconti and his lab to further characterizing the TSSKs models, and to continue the search for TSSKs specific inhibitors. |
TriptoBio
MCI is supporting TriptoBIO to increase the efficiency and production of a yeast platform that produces triptonide, a male contraceptive candidate molecule that has shown efficacy and initial safety in multiple animal studies. Ultimately, this work intends to facilitate drug production costs comparable to female oral contraceptives. |
Fellows
Our funding strategy extends beyond research grants. We recognize the importance of cultivating future leaders in male contraception. Through trainee support, we provide financial and mentorship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. This not only ensures vital research progresses, but also demonstrates the exciting career potential in this field.
We empower these young minds, "from the bench to the boardroom," fostering a lasting interest in male contraceptive development. This investment in future talent is key to realizing the next generation of male contraceptive methods.
Meet the Fellows that joined the Male Contraceptive Initiative family in 2023:
Our funding strategy extends beyond research grants. We recognize the importance of cultivating future leaders in male contraception. Through trainee support, we provide financial and mentorship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. This not only ensures vital research progresses, but also demonstrates the exciting career potential in this field.
We empower these young minds, "from the bench to the boardroom," fostering a lasting interest in male contraceptive development. This investment in future talent is key to realizing the next generation of male contraceptive methods.
Meet the Fellows that joined the Male Contraceptive Initiative family in 2023:
Zaile Zhuang
Zaile Zhuang is a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of James Chen on the campus of Stanford University. His research is directed towards HIPK4, a protein necessary for sperm formation and a drug target for male contraception. Supported by MCI, Zaile's work focuses on the development of proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which mark a protein for degradation rather than inhibit its function. |
Xiaofang Huang
Xiaofang Huang is a postdoctoral researcher at Yale University, working under the direction of Jean-Ju Chung. Her research is focuses on CatSper, a protein complex required for sperm to fertilize the egg and a particularly attractive drug target for male contraception. Supported by MCI, Xiaofang is developing a mouse model that allows for screening of male contraceptive molecules that target CatSper. |
“My wish is that the future of contraception is non-hormonal, safe, effective, and something that is shouldered equally by both men and women.”
- Dr. Sarah Hill,
Author of How the Pill Changes Everything
Advocacy
At MCI, we understand the imbalance in contraceptive options. Women shouldn't shoulder the sole responsibility for family planning. That's why educating the public about male reproductive health and contraception is central to our mission.
We use a multi-layered approach to advocate for the next generation of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives:
By creating interconnected resources, we ensure maximum impact and stay true to our mission. Our goal is a well-informed and enthusiastic public ready to embrace this new era of family planning options.
We use a multi-layered approach to advocate for the next generation of non-hormonal, reversible male contraceptives:
- Building Knowledge: We develop educational resources that explain the importance and potential impact of these methods.
- Shifting Perceptions: We promote the ongoing research and development efforts happening globally.
- Empowering Advocates: We equip the public with tools to champion male contraception.
By creating interconnected resources, we ensure maximum impact and stay true to our mission. Our goal is a well-informed and enthusiastic public ready to embrace this new era of family planning options.
MCI's Outreach & Advocacy Strategy
MCI aspires to be the central hub for all things related to non-hormonal, reversible male contraception. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we can unlock a future where both men and women have the power to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
In 2023, this manifested in multiple ways, including:
In 2023, this manifested in multiple ways, including:
- Creating additional, engaging primers and animated shorts to make complex scientific information accessible to everyone through our library of educational primers and animated shorts
- Developing microsites in English, Spanish, and French that highlight the findings of our co-funded international market research study, each featuring a robust collection of infographics to make the findings even more accessible
- Speaking at the 2023 SXSW Festival to share updates on MCI’s work and advocate for “Reproductive Autonomy for All”:
SXSW 2023 Panel: "Reproductive Autonomy: It's a We-sponsibility"
“Birth control is essential healthcare—full stop. And it’s healthcare that helps ensure everyone can control their own bodies, lives and futures. With reproductive rights under attack from every angle, we’ve got to stand up and make clear that no one should be able to come between a patient and the birth control they need—including being turned away at the pharmacy.”
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Donor Highlight
Family planning research is chronically underfunded, especially for men. This neglect hinders progress despite the immense potential of male contraception to address global challenges.
As a leading non-profit, MCI is a critical source of support. Remarkably, we rank as the sixth-largest funder of contraception research for all genders, yet our annual investment is under $2 million. The field desperately needs a funding boost. Until then, it's through donor generosity that this vital work continues.
We champion researchers developing male contraceptives throughout their careers, from initial ideas to market readiness. As a non-profit, we rely solely on donations to make a difference. Every dollar helps us bring new options to the world.
Meet the male contraception advocates that supported Male Contraceptive Initiative in 2023:
As a leading non-profit, MCI is a critical source of support. Remarkably, we rank as the sixth-largest funder of contraception research for all genders, yet our annual investment is under $2 million. The field desperately needs a funding boost. Until then, it's through donor generosity that this vital work continues.
We champion researchers developing male contraceptives throughout their careers, from initial ideas to market readiness. As a non-profit, we rely solely on donations to make a difference. Every dollar helps us bring new options to the world.
Meet the male contraception advocates that supported Male Contraceptive Initiative in 2023:
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Hall of Fame ($100,000 and up)
Anonymous |
VIPs ($1,000 to $100,000)
Jonathan and Xixi Shakes The Parsemus Foundation Anonymous Nathan La Porte & Leah Handel Charitable Fund |
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Core Supporters ($100 to $1,000)
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Contributors ($1 to $100)
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“It’s vital that good contraceptive methods are available to men, and that men can take on that responsibility. That’s why MCI is important. That’s why I give.”
- John,
MCI Donor
MCI's Staff & Board
Driven by a shared vision of “Reproductive Autonomy for All”, MCI unites a passionate and diverse team. We are committed to accelerating the development of male contraceptives by providing unwavering support to the research community. Additionally, we empower the public and advocates to champion this critical cause through education and outreach.
“Contraceptives are the greatest life-saving, poverty-ending, women-empowering innovation ever created.”
- Melinda French Gates
Contact
We would love to hear from you! We understand that our collective impact will always be far greater than our individual one. Please reach out to us and let's discuss how we can move the field of male contraception forward together.
811 Ninth Street, Suite 120 #255
Durham, NC 27705
[email protected]
811 Ninth Street, Suite 120 #255
Durham, NC 27705
[email protected]
