Scientists Develop Monthly Contraceptive Pill

Following breakthrough research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a once-a-month pill could soon be available to women in search of an easy, fuss free contraceptive solution. The pill features a star-shaped, six prong polymer structure housed within a gelatine capsule. When swallowed, the outer coating dissolves and releases the polymer structure into the stomach, where it sits for up to three weeks and slowly releases the synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy over the course of a month.

Research suggests that up to 50% of women using daily oral contraceptives accidently skip at least one pill over the course of three months. Proffesor Robert Langer, co-author of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology study, says the slow-release gelatine capsule could help prevent unplanned pregnancies and emerge as a popular alternative to traditional contraceptives.

A new era of slow-release drug dosage

The concept has already been tested on pigs, with Langer confirming the next step is human trials. He also says the concept of slow-release drug dosage could eventually be applied to other medical applications. “I hope there will be pills that people could swallow that could last for any length of time to treat different diseases, like mental health diseases and opioid addiction, Alzheimer’s, Aids,” he says.

The research was published in the Science Translational Medicine journal, with Langer explaining how the team tweaked the structure of the polymer system to increase the surface area. Other challenges included pinpointing the optimal rate of hormone release and creating a polymer structure strong enough to withstand acidic stomach conditions.

A step forward for global family planning

Moving forward, Langer has confirmed a spinoff company called Lyndra Therapeutics will start developing the technology needed for human trials and eventually, commercial distribution. As well as marketing the product to developed countries, Langer also hopes the technology will become available to women in developing nations, where healthcare services are limited, and unplanned pregnancy rates are high.

The study was welcomed by medical organisations around the world, with vice president of the UK’s Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Dr Diana Mansour saying, “the concept of a monthly oral contraceptive pill is attractive and has the potential to broaden contraceptive choice.” She compares it to options like the copper IUD and contraceptive implant, which champion a similar concept and significantly reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies.

“These are more effective than oral contraception with fewer than one woman in 100 becoming pregnant each year using these longer acting reversible contraceptives, compared to around nine in 100 women taking the pill,” she says.

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