30-day non-hormonal vaginal ring to prevent pregnancy and STIs
Official title: Preclinical testing of a novel non-hormonal intravaginal ring to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
Funded at Population Council · NIH-11167703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a one-month non-hormonal vaginal ring that may protect women from pregnancy and several common sexually transmitted infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Population Council NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $478,398 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD106793-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women who want non-hormonal contraception and added protection against common sexually transmitted infections, and who can use an intravaginal product, would be the ideal candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot or prefer not to use intravaginal products, who want hormonal contraception, or who have allergies to ring materials would likely not benefit from this option.
What this research studies
This work is creating a 30-day intravaginal ring that slowly releases three active ingredients—copper, zinc acetate, and lactide—to block sperm and common STIs such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and possibly reduce HIV risk. Researchers will complete laboratory and animal preclinical tests to define the right drug-release profile, dosing, and to check safety for vaginal tissues and microbiome. Multiple university partners and the Population Council will use those findings to pick clinical indications and plan human testing. If preclinical results are favorable, the team will move toward clinical trials to test the ring in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer women a monthly, non-hormonal option that protects against pregnancy and multiple STIs while supporting vaginal health.
How similar studies have gone: Existing vaginal rings (for example the dapivirine HIV ring) have shown some success, but a one-month non-hormonal ring combining spermicidal and broad anti‑STI agents is a novel approach that has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Population Council
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teleshova, Natalia — Population Council
- Study coordinator: Teleshova, Natalia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.