Acutely acting sAC inhibitors for on-demand male contraception
Official title: Biodistribution and non-GLP safety studies
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11451844 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to develop on-demand male birth control pills that block sperm function for a few hours by targeting a specific enzyme called sAC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,406 |
| NIH project number | 1P50HD123367-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451844 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men seeking a reversible contraception option who are healthy enough to participate in early safety and pharmacokinetic studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals seeking non-contraceptive fertility support or those with contraindications to hormone-independent contraceptives may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how a fast-acting inhibitor of soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) distributes in the body and remains safe in the short term, with the aim of enabling a reversible, on-demand contraceptive option for men. Researchers will examine how the lead compound travels through the body, clears, and which tissues it reaches, while assessing non-GLP safety in preparation for clinical testing. The work is designed to support regulatory requirements and to demonstrate reversibility and favorable pharmacokinetics so that a birth control pill could be used only when needed. The study is led by Weill Medical College of Cornell University and aims to translate basic findings about sAC into a practical contraceptive approach for people with sperm producing capacity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a reversible, on-demand contraception option for men with few mechanism-based side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for targeting sAC to block sperm function, with translational steps toward a reversible contraceptive approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buck, Jochen — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Buck, Jochen
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.