In a significant step toward male reproductive responsibility, researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy have developed a promising hormone-free male birth control pill, YCT-529, which could balance the contraceptive playing field—currently skewed heavily toward female methods. The groundbreaking findings from the study, detailed in the journal Communications Medicine and shared by the University of Minnesota, showcase the pill's potential to halt sperm production without hormones.
Initial trials in mice displayed a 99% success rate in preventing pregnancies after just four weeks of use, while male non-human primates observed a plummet in sperm counts within two weeks, both groups managed to recover fertility after discontinuing the drug, mice took six weeks to recover, primates took 10-15 weeks—no side effects were spotted. According to a statement releasdd by the University of Minnesota, Gunda Georg, the study's corresponding author and a professor at the University of Minnesota, heralded the development by saying, “A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,” and highlighting the crucial need for men to have reproductive autonomy.
After passing the litmus test in early animal models, YourChoice Therapeutics carried YCT-529 successfully through a phase 1 clinical trial in 2024 with an ongoing second clinical trial examining the safety and effectiveness in human subjects. Nadja Mannowetz, lead author, chief science officer and co-founder of YourChoice Therapeutics, underscored the urgency of the work in light of nearly half of U.S. and global pregnancies being unintentional, stating, “With the unintentional pregnancy rate at nearly 50% in the U.S. and globally, we need more contraceptive options, particularly for men.” This research is championed by a consortium of backers, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, YourChoice Therapeutics, and the Male Contraceptive Initiative.
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy holds the distinction of being the sole pharmacy school in Minnesota since 1892, and with the addition of programs such as medical laboratory science and occupational therapy it continues to push the envelope of health sciences and research that responds to the community needs, if YCT-529 keeps its promises and finds its way to market, it could revolutionize how families and individuals plan their futures and take control of their reproductive health.
