An Intravaginal Ring to Prevent Genital Herpes and Unintended Pregnancy
Official title: A Novel, Multi-compartment Intravaginal Ring for Prevention of Genital Herpes and Unintended Pregnancy
Funded at Oak Crest Institute of Science · NIH-11190933 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are creating a new type of intravaginal ring designed to protect women from genital herpes, HPV, HIV, and also prevent pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oak Crest Institute of Science NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Monrovia, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $828,713 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175437-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190933 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is ultimately intended for women who are at risk of sexually transmitted infections like herpes, HPV, and HIV, and who also desire contraception.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not sexually active or who do not require contraception would not directly benefit from this specific product.
What this research studies
This project is developing a new intravaginal ring that combines several protective features into one easy-to-use device. It will deliver an antiviral medicine that works against herpes, HPV, and HIV, along with a non-hormonal contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. The goal is to offer a long-lasting, controlled release of these medicines, providing a convenient option for women who want to avoid both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new intravaginal ring could offer women a discreet, user-friendly way to protect themselves from multiple sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy with a single product.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of multipurpose prevention products has shown promise in motivating use, this particular combination of antiviral agents and contraceptive in a novel intravaginal ring platform represents a new and integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oak Crest Institute of Science
Monrovia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baum, Marc Michael — Oak Crest Institute of Science
- Study coordinator: Baum, Marc Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Blocking cancer-causing cMYC tricks after pregnancy changes in the breast
Researchers are testing how pregnancy and aging reshape the breast before cancer risk, using patient-reinformed models to see if it changes how dangerous cMYC signals behave.
-
SSRI use during pregnancy: effects on placental blood flow and inflammation
This grant studies how antidepressants (SSRIs) used during pregnancy might affect the placenta and inflammation, and whether a 5-HT2 receptor blocker could mitigate any negative effects.
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.