Male Contraceptive Initiative Provides an Additional $900,000 in Grants for Male Contraception Research

Durham, NC - Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), a private non-profit foundation, announced five new grants totalling $900,000 in funding to support research and development of male contraceptive methods, raising their total commitment to male contraception to over $5M USD since 2017.

Researchers at Eppin Pharmaceuticals Inc. will receive $300,000 to aid in their work developing novel forms of male contraception. Their project is focused on developing a hormone-free pill that men can use daily or potentially just before sex to contracept. Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Planned Parenthood North Central States, and Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME) in Argentina will also receive $150,000 each for projects that include AI-guided analysis of mouse mating, surveys on the acceptability of male methods of contraception, and finding new routes of developing novel, non-hormonal male contraceptives.

With over $5 million invested in male contraceptive product development, MCI seeks to push male contraceptive research projects towards the market. In the landscape of male contraception research, these grants fund a variety of projects with a wide range of impact from early stage screening of drugs, up to studies that pave the way for early clinical trials, and efforts to understand the product characteristics that appeal to men and their partners. The organization’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.

“More and more men are expressing the desire to participate in contraception with their partners. We are confident that the time is right to emphatically get behind the talent and energy in the field in order to achieve a real vision for a contraceptive future,” said MCI Executive Director Heather Vahdat. 

Logan Nickels, Research Director at MCI added, “A rising tide lifts all boats, and we’re seeing more interest come about due to our support of exciting, promising male contraceptive research. By maintaining a diverse portfolio of projects we intend to create opportunities for products with new characteristics that change what people think about contraception.”

---

About Male Contraceptive Initiative: Male Contraceptive Initiative works to bring new male contraceptives to market. We accomplish this through direct funding, technical support, research, and advocacy. We believe that couples deserve more contraceptive options and that we offer the biggest potential impact for them by focusing on male contraceptives. It’s time men are given more opportunities to contribute toward family planning. ​