Major Breakthrough for Male Birth Control
Vasalgel, a long-acting male birth control option that previously promised to be available in 2018, has made a major breakthrough in its research process. According to the Parsemus Foundation, the company behind Vasalgel, the medical device just enjoyed a very successful primate trial, and was proven to be safe and effective for use in monkeys.
The monkey trial is a huge step for Vasalgel's overall approval process. The trial's purpose was to prove that Vasalgel is effective at actually preventing pregnancy, not just blocking sperm, in large primates that have similar reproductive structures to humans. Vasalgel, which is a gel that's injected into the vas deferens, works by blocking sperm from traveling out of the vas deferens - like a vasectomy, but much less invasive. Also unlike a vasectomy, Vasalgel insertion is potentially reversible.
Of the 16 monkeys injected with Vasalgel, there were no conceptions - and seven of those monkey were kept around female monkeys almost continuously for two years. Researchers found no major complications in the monkeys injected with Vasagel, and reported that Vasalgel seemed to be a less complicated, safer option than vasectomies for the monkeys in the trial.
The success of the monkey trial means the next step for Vasalgel's road to actual use in humans is a human male trial. According to the Parsemus Foundation, the first human trial will simply test effectiveness, but future trials will focus on reversal. Elaine Lissner, the executive director of the Parsemus Foundation, previously said Vasalgel would be available in 2018.
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