Contraceptive Microneedle Patch | The Contraceptive Pipeline Database

Product Overview

Development Status: Active Development

Target: Female

Mode: Hormonal

Delivery Type: Other

Duration Type: Long-acting, Short-acting

Description: Two methods to develop contraceptive microneedle patches are being explored. In the first method, a microneedle patch contains microspheres that are loaded with contraceptive hormone. The water-soluble microneedles are designed to dissolve rapidly in the skin, leaving behind microspheres that release the contraceptive over one or more months. In the second method, the patch incorporates the contraceptive hormone directly into microneedles made of biodegradable polymer. The microneedles are designed to biodegrade slowly, releasing the hormone for a month or longer.

Updated date: May 30, 2018

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Product Details

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API): One of three hormones: Nestorone, etonogestrel or levonorgestrel

Inactive material: Biodegradable polymer(s), water-soluble excipients

Potential Multi-Purpose Technology (MPT): Yes

Regimen: At most once a month

Duration: Month to several months

Partner: FHI 360, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, Population Council

Status

Project Phase: Early Development

Project Stage: Pre-clinical

Began discovery in: 2015

Status Details:
This product is under active pre-clinical development.

Programmatic Considerations

Considerations:
Advantages of this technology include ease of long-acting drug delivery; opportunity for discreet self-administration by users; reduced pain at the point of administration compared to injection or implantation; safe waste disposal with no chance of needle re-use; and benefits to supply chain storage and distribution, especially in low-resource countries.

Additional Information

Additional Information:
Georgia Institute of Technology website

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