ADAM Air — a non-hormonal male contraceptive implant
Official title: Development of ADAM Air: A Non-Hormonal Vas Occlusive Contraceptive Device
Funded at Contraline, INC. · NIH-11377879 · Data updated 2026-11-12
ADAM Air is a non-hormonal implant placed in the vas deferens to block sperm and give men long-lasting, reversible contraception.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Contraline, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,077,116 |
| NIH project number | 4R44HD115509-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377879 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are healthy adult men who want long-term, non-hormonal contraception and are willing to undergo a minor outpatient procedure to have the device implanted and removed if desired.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate or short-term contraception, those who cannot undergo minor surgical procedures, and women or others without a vas deferens would not benefit from this implant.
What this research studies
This project builds on an earlier injectable ADAM hydrogel to create ADAM Air, a dehydrated aerogel that is implanted into the vas deferens rather than injected. After placement, ADAM Air soaks up fluid and quickly swells into a gel that blocks sperm transport, designed to provide strong occlusion with simpler manufacturing and procedures. The team is optimizing the implant's size and swelling behavior so it reliably prevents sperm passage while allowing on-demand reversal if a person wishes to restore fertility. Early data show higher swelling force than the first-generation material and the original ADAM hydrogel has completed a first-in-human trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, ADAM Air could give men a long-acting, reversible, non-hormonal contraceptive option that helps reduce unintended pregnancies.
How similar studies have gone: An earlier injectable ADAM hydrogel completed a first-in-human trial with safety and efficacy signals, while the ADAM Air aerogel implant is a newer design with less clinical experience.
Where this research is happening
-
Contraline, INC.
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tropsha, Yelena — Contraline, INC.
- Study coordinator: Tropsha, Yelena
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.