Population Council | Biomedicine | Contraceptives on the Market

BIOMEDICINE
Contraceptives on the Market

What's New

In the December 2006 Momentum:

● Thirty-six preeminent international scientists presented data and analysis of IUDs at a Population Council–hosted symposium. (full text) (PDF)

● "Contraceptive ring: More options for women" (full text) (PDF)

A new brochure, "Building on decades of success: Population Council continues pioneering biomedical research," discusses the Council's research on contraceptive and other health products. (PDF)

Intrauterine contraception is a preferred family planning method of American female obstetrician/gynecologists. The intrauterine system Mirena® was co-developed by Council biomedical scientists. (more)

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The Population Council develops and improves biomedical technologies that enable individuals to have safe, planned pregnancies and to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and disorders of the reproductive system.

A primary activity is applied research, including the development of new methods of contraception to meet the needs of women and men. The Council has already delivered to market:

Three models of copper-bearing intrauterine devices;
Mirena^®, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system;
Jadelle^®, a two-rod levonorgestrel implant; and
Norplant^®, a levonorgestrel-releasing implant.

The Copper T 380A intrauterine device (IUD) provides enhanced contraceptive protection for up to ten years. This IUD is one of the most effective, long-acting reversible contraceptives available. (more)

The Copper T 380A is in the public sector worldwide. In the United States, it is called ParaGard® and is licensed to Duramed, a branded business subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. (offsite link)

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, Mirena IUS, is widely available in Europe and Asia, and it was approved for use in the US in December 2000. It combines the best features of hormonal contraceptives and IUDs. It delivers the progestin levonorgestrel through an IUD and is effective for up to five years.

Mirena drastically reduces the excessive menstrual bleeding experienced by some women with uterine fibroids. But scientists do not know what molecular mechanism accounts for this improvement in symptoms. Council researchers and others are working to determine the underlying molecular cause of changes in the endometrium of women using Mirena. (more) (other recent findings)

The IUS is licensed to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals in the United States (offsite link) and to Bayer Schering Pharma AG outside of the United States (offsite link)

Jadelle, the two-rod levonorgestrel implant, is not currently available in the United States. However, in 1996 the US Food and Drug Administration approved the implant for use of up to three years. After reviewing additional data, the FDA changed its requirements and in 2002 approved Jadelle for up to five years' use in the United States. The implant has also been approved in Europe for five years' use. (more)

Jadelle is licensed to Bayer Schering Pharma Oy outside of the United States.

Although approved by the FDA in 1990, Norplant is not currently available in the United States. This contraceptive implant was confirmed to be effective for seven years by the World Health Organization.

Six thin, flexible capsules made of a soft, rubberlike material and filled with levonorgestrel are inserted just under the skin in a minor surgical procedure. Norplant has been approved for distribution in more than 50 countries. (more)

Norplant is licensed to Bayer Schering Pharma Oy outside of the United States