Population Council Research that makes a difference

In rural and remote areas of many countries, few contraceptive options currently are available to better meet the rights of women and couples who want to decide on the number and spacing of their children. A dual-protection contraceptive method increases the likelihood that individuals will find an appropriate product to meet their unique needs and circumstances. There is a compelling need for a single method that provides both contraception and protection against HIV.

The Population Council recently met a major milestone in an agreement with the International Partnership for Microbicides and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to begin developing a prototype dual-protection ring at the Council’s biomedical research center in New York. The vaginal ring will contain an antiretroviral agent plus a levonorgestrel contraceptive dose. Compatibility and toxicology studies will be completed before IND and Phase 1 clinical trials.