Contraceptive transdermal spray to be tested

Published: 1-Jan-2004


A transdermal spray delivery of contraceptive formulations of Nestorone is to go on test following an agreement between the Population Council, an international public health organisation, and FemPharm, a subsidiary of Australian company Acrux. They will develop the product, with the first study in women scheduled to begin in 2004 at the Sydney Centre for Reproductive Health Research.

Nestorone is a fourth-generation progestin, extensively researched by the Population Council. FemPharm will evaluate whether its Metered Dose-Transdermal System (MDTS) could be an effective means of delivering Nestorone across the skin for contraceptive use by women. The MDTS applies a pre-set dose of a fast-drying formulation on the skin. This forms an invisible depot within the skin from which the drug is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream.

'The Population Council and FemPharm have entered into a joint development agreement to use their respective proprietary rights to develop a contraceptive delivery system that is affordable, safe, cost-effective, reversible, and easy to use by women,' said Sandra Arnold, vice president of corporate affairs for the Population Council.

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