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Durham, NC (January 12, 2022) - Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), a private non-profit foundation, announced the formation of a for-profit subsidiary called Contraceptive Accelerator Network. The small, mission-centric pharmaceutical company was created with the specific intent of ensuring that promising non-hormonal, reversible contraceptive targets receive the support necessary to develop them as next generation birth control methods delivered to those who produce sperm. The two entities will work in close collaboration to identify promising male contraceptive targets to support through the testing and evaluation processes required prior to Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies and clinical trials. The company’s operations are streamlined and intentionally designed to maximize cost efficiency in all activities, taking advantage of the many drug discovery resources commercially available to increase our impact while reducing overhead costs and allowing for an expanded portfolio of projects as and when appropriate. “Developing a new, agile business model for accelerating the development of promising male contraceptive targets was a core objective of MCI’s strategic plan put forth in 2019,” said Heather Vahdat, Male Contraceptive Initiative’s Executive Director, adding, “It is incredibly exciting to see CAN materialize, and with it comes tremendous optimism for the near future of non-hormonal, reversible male contraception research and development.” Contraceptive Accelerator Network’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Rusnak stated that, “MCI’s granting and investment activities sufficiently de-risk early stage targets such that CAN is able to identify the most salient options and work through a collaborative network of researchers, advisers, and other external resources to accelerate the development of new sperm-targeting contraceptives in an effort to expeditiously facilitate their market-readiness.” With over $7 million invested in male contraceptive product development, MCI continues to push male contraceptive research projects towards commercialization, and CAN is the organization’s latest step in bringing the next generation of sperm-targeting contraception to market. MCI’s mission is to facilitate research and development of male contraceptives for people around the world, and to build awareness among researchers, donors and the general public about the demand for and status of novel male contraceptive methods. Through its funding efforts, the non-profit has championed this mission in manifold ways: investing in promising product development through this and other rounds of funding, supporting students and young professionals through fellowships and travel grants, and consistently advocating with the public and media for an increased method mix that includes male contraception.
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