Two-year implant for birth control and HIV prevention
Official title: Long-acting multi prevention implant for 2-year contraception and HIV PrEP
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11309692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing a small under-the-skin implant to provide two years of contraception and HIV prevention for sexually active women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $798,886 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI167659-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be sexually active women who want reliable long-term contraception and who are at risk for HIV exposure or want pre-exposure protection.
✕Less likely to help
People already living with HIV, those planning to become pregnant soon, or anyone with medical contraindications to hormonal implants or the study drugs would likely not benefit from this product.
What this research studies
As someone who might use it, this project aims to combine a contraceptive hormone (etonogestrel) and an HIV prevention drug (islatravir) into a single small implant placed under the skin. The device uses a nanofluidic membrane and a polymer 'drugamer' to slowly and steadily release both medicines without pumps, targeting a two-year protection period. That could remove the need for daily pills or frequent dosing and make prevention more discreet and easier to stick with. Researchers will design and test the implant's drug-release, safety, and durability in laboratory and clinical testing before wider availability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide long-lasting, combined protection against pregnancy and HIV for up to two years with minimal daily effort.
How similar studies have gone: Existing contraceptive implants and several long-acting HIV prevention approaches have been effective, but combining both drugs into a single two-year implant is a novel approach not yet proven in people.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grattoni, Alessandro — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Grattoni, Alessandro
Related research
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Mobile health support to boost PrEP and contraception use among young women in Zambia
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Mobile health tool to boost PrEP and contraception use among female university students in Zambia
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A tablet-led peer navigator program to help female university students in Zambia learn about and start using PrEP and modern contraception.
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A long-lasting implant for contraception and HIV prevention
This study is testing a new implant that helps women prevent both pregnancy and HIV for up to two years without needing to take daily pills, making it easier and more discreet for those at risk.
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Using mobile health tools to improve contraception and HIV prevention among female university students in Zambia
This study is testing a helpful mobile program for female university students in Zambia to provide them with information and support about HIV prevention and birth control, making it easier for them to access the health services they need.
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.