Monthly non-hormonal vaginal ring that prevents pregnancy and STIs
Official title: Contraception development research center to advance a novel intravaginal ring as a non-hormonal multipurpose prevention technology
Funded at Population Council · NIH-11167697 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a 30-day, non-hormonal intravaginal ring designed to help prevent pregnancy and several sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, for women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Population Council NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,281,160 |
| NIH project number | 5P50HD106793-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167697 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be sexually active women of reproductive age seeking non-hormonal contraception combined with protection against STIs.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot or prefer not to use intravaginal products, those allergic to ring materials, or those who only want hormonal contraception may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
You would use a user-controlled vaginal ring worn for about 30 days that releases three active ingredients (copper, zinc acetate, and a lactic acid prodrug) intended to block sperm and common STIs. The team is formulating and manufacturing rings with different materials and shapes to find safe, comfortable options that deliver medicine consistently for a month. They will make non-medicated rings under Good Manufacturing Practice for testing and do end-user research to get feedback on comfort, fit, and acceptability. Later work would move toward clinical testing and wider safety and effectiveness studies if early results are promising.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer women a single monthly, non-hormonal option that prevents pregnancy and reduces the risk of several STIs, including HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous intravaginal ring trials such as dapivirine for HIV have shown partial protection, but combining non-hormonal contraception with broad STI prevention is largely novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Population Council
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haddad, Lisa Blake — Population Council
- Study coordinator: Haddad, Lisa Blake
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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.