A groundbreaking new male contraceptive implant, Adam, has shown promising two-year results in clinical trials, offering a reversible alternative to condoms and vasectomies.
A new, non-hormonal Adam male contraceptive implant has shown promising results in trials, with the product lasting for at least two years. The implant, known as Adam, is a water-soluble hydrogel that is implanted in the sperm ducts, preventing sperm from mixing with semen.
How Does it Work?
The Adam implant works by blocking the release of sperm into semen, providing a reversible alternative to condoms and vasectomies. The hydrogel is designed to break down in the body after a set period of time, restoring fertility. According to Contraline, the company behind the product, this approach offers a more convenient and less invasive method of birth control.
Trial Results
Contraline has released details of its phase 1 clinical trial, revealing that Adam can successfully block the release of sperm for 24 months, with no sperm detected in the semen of two participants who have reached this time point in the trial. No serious adverse events were recorded during the trial.
“This is really exciting because our goal since day one has been to create a two-year-long male contraceptive – that is what the demand is for: a two-year-long, temporary or reversible male birth control. And we have the first data to show that that’s possible,” said Kevin Eisenfrats, founder and chief executive of Contraline.
Concerns and Limitations
While the results are promising, experts have raised concerns about the long-term ramifications of blocking the vas deferens and the reversibility of the implant. Prof Richard Anderson, an expert in hormonal male contraception at the University of Edinburgh, said that while the Adam implant could be a strong contraceptive option for men, its effectiveness and safety need to be further evaluated.
The team behind Adam is working on a procedure to enable ‘on-demand reversal’ of the implant, which would allow men to check whether the contraceptive was still effective using sperm tests. Contraline expects to begin a phase 2 clinical trial in Australia later this year involving 30 to 50 participants.
Future Directions
The development of non-hormonal male contraceptives is an exciting area of research, with several products in advanced clinical development. According to Prof Jon Oatley, of Washington State University, the Adam implant could be a strong contraceptive option for men, but its uptake may be limited due to the availability of other methods, such as condoms or pills.
Overall, the results from the Adam clinical trial offer hope that non-hormonal male contraceptives may become a viable option for men seeking birth control.
