LA-releasing vaginal ring to prevent and treat bacterial vaginosis
Official title: IND-enabling development of MM-009, a reservoir-intravaginal ring for ultra-highrates of month-long lactic acid release to treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis
Funded at Mucommune, LLC · NIH-11360209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new vaginal ring slowly releases lactic acid for a month to help prevent and treat bacterial vaginosis in women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mucommune, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morrisville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 23, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $992,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI192170-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women at risk for BV or with recurrent BV who are interested in a non-antibiotic prevention and treatment approach.
✕Less likely to help
If a patient does not have BV or is not eligible for vaginal ring products, benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This project develops MM-009, a lactate-releasing intravaginal ring designed to keep a healthy vaginal environment and reduce BV recurrence for at least 30 days. It builds on evidence that lactobacilli-produced lactic acid helps protect against BV and aims to deliver the right amount continuously. The study progresses toward an IND-ready product, focusing on safety, release rate, and how the ring performs in real-world conditions. If successful, this approach could offer a non-antibiotic option to prevent BV episodes and support long-term vaginal health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this ring could reduce BV recurrences and dependence on antibiotics, improving vaginal health and reducing related pregnancy and infection risks.
How similar studies have gone: Similar lactobacilli-based strategies show promise, but this exact LA-delivery ring is still in development and early in translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Mucommune, LLC
Morrisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kushiro, Keiichiro — Mucommune, LLC
- Study coordinator: Kushiro, Keiichiro
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.