$2.5m grant to support development of novel contraceptive technology

Women’s health company Daré Bioscience has recieved a $2.5m grant  to advance the development of its investigational contraceptive DARE-LARC1 through non-clinical proof of principle studies and other IND-enabling work.

DARE-LARC1 is a potential new category of long-acting, reversible contraceptive (LARC). If successfully developed and approved, DARE-LARC1 could provide women with a higher level of control over the management of their fertility.

As with other types of LARC products, investigational DARE-LARC1 is intended to provide effective contraception for an extended period without requiring day-to-day effort.

DARE-LARC1 enables precision dosing, extended device duration and wireless control, and utilises levonorgestrel, which is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in a number of FDA-approved birth control methods.

The company has said it intents to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA.

“This latest instalment continues to validate our progress and the importance of developing this technology, which can be used to address meaningful unmet needs in reproductive health as well as other therapeutic areas including diabetes, obesity, and other conditions requiring precise and prolonged treatment,” said Sabrina Martucci Johnson, President and CEO of Daré Bioscience.

Under the terms of the grant agreement, Daré may receive a total of up to approximately $49m to support nonclinical development of DARE-LARC1, having so fae received payments totalling approximately $31.8m. Additional payments are conditioned on the program meeting specified development and reporting milestones.

Key features of the implant technology include precision dosing, duration and dosing interval control, no external charging or recharging required, and upgradable platform that enables device software to be updated without removal or replacement of the implant, two-way communication, and smartphone integration.