Non-hormonal vaginal ring to prevent pregnancy using a powerful anti-sperm antibody
Official title: IND-enabling development of MM012, an antibody-based non-hormonal contraceptive intravaginal ring
Funded at Mucommune, LLC · NIH-11315445 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new non-hormonal vaginal ring releases an anti-sperm antibody to trap sperm and prevent pregnancy, offering a user-controlled option without daily pills or coital timing.
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 | September 25, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,163,587 |
| NIH project number | 1R44HD121291-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315445 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals seeking non-hormonal, long-acting contraception who are willing to consider an intravaginal ring approach.
✕Less likely to help
People looking for non-contraceptive interventions or those unable to tolerate intravaginal devices may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to develop an intravaginal ring that slowly releases an antibody designed to clump sperm and keep them from reaching the egg. The product would be user-controlled and non-hormonal, addressing concerns about side effects from hormonal methods. The team has already shown that a next-generation antibody can dramatically increase potency, informing the design of a sustained-contraception device. The project will advance from formulation toward an enabling step that could lead to early clinical testing and human studies. If successful, this approach could provide a new choice for people seeking effective contraception without hormones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could offer a new, hormone-free method of contraception that is controlled by the user.
How similar studies have gone: Previous exploratory studies with anti-sperm antibodies showed rapid, high-velocity sperm effects; this project builds on that momentum with a more potent, sustained version.
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.