Developing a new non-hormonal contraceptive for men
Official title: Reversible male contraception by inhibition of serine/threonine kinase 33
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11146641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new kind of birth control for men that safely stops sperm production without using hormones, and it's looking for the best compounds to make this possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $631,413 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD115711-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult men who are seeking reversible contraception methods.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not male or those who are not interested in contraception may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a new type of male contraceptive that works by inhibiting a specific enzyme called serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33). The approach involves preclinical drug development studies to identify potent and selective inhibitors that can effectively block this enzyme without hormonal side effects. By using advanced screening techniques, the researchers are exploring a vast library of compounds to find those that can safely and effectively prevent sperm production. If successful, this could lead to a new contraceptive option for men that is reversible and does not rely on hormones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide men with a safe and effective non-hormonal contraceptive option.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of targeting STK33 for male contraception is relatively novel, other research has successfully developed kinase inhibitors for various therapeutic applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matzuk, Martin M. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Matzuk, Martin M.
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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.