Open science advances non-hormonal contraceptives

An open science initiative is accelerating work on non-hormonal contraceptives by targeting a sperm-specific enzyme linked to fertility.

The research focuses on developing a pill that works differently from hormonal contraception by temporarily disabling a protein found almost exclusively in sperm, rather than altering a woman’s hormonal cycle.

The target is an enzyme called phosphoglycerate kinase 2, or PGK2, which is critical for energy production and sperm movement.

Researchers believe that blocking PGK2 prevents sperm from generating the energy needed to swim and reach or fertilise an egg. Because the enzyme is largely confined to sperm cells, this approach could avoid many of the systemic side effects associated with hormonal contraceptives.

The work is led by the UNC Structural Genomics Consortium within the University of North Carolina’s Eshelman School of Pharmacy and is funded by the Gates Foundation as part of a broader effort to accelerate women’s health innovation.

Tim Willson, chief scientist for the consortium’s North Carolina programme, said: “Pregnancy is one of the major drivers of poverty in many of these countries.

“Giving women more control over when they conceive is a key area to make a real impact.

“What makes PGK2 so interesting is that it’s almost exclusively expressed in sperm cells. We suspect that if you can selectively inhibit this enzyme, the sperm can’t generate the energy they need to function.”

The consortium plays a central role in the Gates Foundation’s Contraceptive Drug Accelerator, a global network of academic laboratories working to identify and validate new drug targets for non-hormonal contraception.

Scientists from institutions in the US and India meet weekly to share data, compounds and findings.

In line with its open science approach, all aspects of the project are carried out openly, with no intellectual property restrictions.

“That’s where you really see open science at work,” Willson said.

“Every compound we make and every dataset we generate is shared immediately, which allows us to move incredibly fast.”

Since the project began in May 2025, the team has developed five highly selective probe compounds, an unusually rapid pace for early-stage drug discovery.

These compounds are now being distributed across the Gates Foundation’s Contraceptive Drug Accelerator network for testing in sperm function models.

“That specificity is the goal,” Willson said.

“We’re trying to shut down sperm function without interfering with the hormonal cycles that regulate women’s health.”

Researchers note that the work remains at an early stage and that any resulting contraceptive would still be several years away from clinical use.

“At the end of the day, the more we understand about human biology, the better drugs we can make,” Willson said.

“Open science removes barriers and lets the best ideas rise to the top.”