Vasalgel is a gel that is injected into the
vas deferens as a contraceptive
. Vas deferens is the tube that sperm pass
through on the way to the penis
. The gel blocks the tube, meaning sperm cannot be
released
. Trials of the gel involving baboons have been
promising
. Contraceptive is long-acting and reversible
. Developers Parsemus Foundation say there will be
clinical trials next year
. They want it to cost 'less than a flat screen TV'
Men could be using long-lasting birth control - which
doesn’t involve condoms - within the next three
years, according to a not-for-profit organisation.
Trials of a new male birth control injection, Vasalgel,
are showing promising results. Developers hope the
new drug will be cheap, reversible and long-lasting.
Vasalgel is a 'polymer hydrogel' that is injected into
the vas deferens - the tube that sperm passes
through on the way to the penis.
The gel acts to block sperm, thus preventing
pregnancy. It is being developed by the Parsemus
Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation who
develop low-cost medical solutions. They said the
procedure has the same effect as a vasectomy, but is
less invasive as surgery is not required because the
vas deferens is blocked with the gel, rather than cut.
They hope the new contraceptive will be affordable,
adding they want it to cost 'less than a flat screen TV'.
During current trials on baboons, three males were
injected with the Vasalgel contraceptive. Each baboon
was then left living with 10 to 15 female baboons.
After six months, no female baboons became
pregnant, although the trial is not quite over.
By the end of the year, the Parsemus Foundation said
they will have a lot more information on whether
Vasalgel is effective. They added that if all goes well
they will be planning for clinical trials with humans to
start next year.
It is also more reversible, they said. If a man wants
his sperm unblocked, another polymer gel can be
injected to flush out the Vasalgel that is blocking the
sperm. The product is based on another male
contraceptive being developed, which is called
RISUG. Both RISUG and Vasalgel work on the
principle of using a gel to block the vas deferens, but
are formulated differently.
While the Parsemus Foundation have not said how
long a Vasalgel injection would last as a
contraceptive, a RISUG injection is said to last 10
years. A spokesperson from the Parsemus
Foundation said: ‘We want to get Vasalgel on the
market as soon as possible, but all the proper
efficacy and safety testing needs to be completed.
‘Vasalgel is currently in animal testing, with human
trials expected to start in early 2015and 2015-2016
(larger trials). 'If everything goes well and with
enough public support, we hope to get Vasalgel on
the market in 2016-2017.’
The Parsemus Foundation will be asking for public
donations to fund the clinical trials on humans next
year.
OTHER MALE CONTRACEPTION IN DEVELOPMENT:
THE 'CLEAN SHEETS' PILL
Another male contraceptive in early stages of
development is the ‘clean sheets’ or ‘dry orgasm’ pill.
This is a drug that could be taken before sex which
leads to a semen-free orgasm.
The orgasm feels the same but semen is not
released.
Developers intend to design a drug which will take
effect within a few hours of being ingested, which will
wear off within 24 hours.
A man could take this pill only as needed before
having sex.
Researchers said this could also be effective in
reducing the transmission of HIV from male to their
partners.
Kings College London researchers Dr Nnaemeka
Amobi and Dr Christopher Smith are seeking
partnership with a pharmaceutical company, which
should speed the process of bringing a product to
market.
By MADLEN DAVIES
MAILONLINE

ashawo men.... Mtcheeeeew.. I wonder why men go get belle

It will make men less prolific