MCI Provides an Additional $400,000 in Grants for Male Contraception

Durham, NC – The Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), a private non-profit foundation, announced an additional $400,000 in grant funding to support research and development of male contraceptive methods, bringing their funding total to-date to over $1.7M USD.

Revolution Contraceptives and Contraline, Inc. will each receive $200,000 to aid in their work to develop and test vas-occlusive products. These non-hormonal methods of contraception are intended to prevent sperm from leaving the male reproductive tract through blockage devices or substances, similar to a traditional vasectomy, and be more easily and reliably reversible than a vasectomy.

With $1.7 million invested in male contraceptive product development, MCI seeks to advance male contraceptive research projects to market. 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, providing seed funding to aid groups in overcoming specific hurdles, supporting students and young professionals through fellowships and travel grants, and being a consistent advocate for an increased method mix that includes male contraception.

“We have witnessed increasing interest and investment in male methods over the past few years and feel confident that the market will continue to grow as awareness increases and as more research talent and energy is invested in addressing this need. We hope to look back at 2018 as a turning point in making that vision a reality for men and their partners,” said MCI Executive Director Heather Vahdat.

Logan Nickels, Director of Operations and Programs at MCI added, “A diverse approach to contraceptive methods is essential as we see more and more men wanting to take a role in the conversation.”

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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 options and that we offer the biggest potential impact by focusing on male contraceptives. It’s time men are given more opportunities to contribute toward family planning.