The Era of Male Contraceptive Tools Could Soon Occur

For nearly 50 years, Sujoy Guha has worked to perfect a male contraceptive. Now the 86-year-old Indian doctor's idea is gaining momentum, raising the prospect of changing the way birth control is practiced across the globe.

Injecting hydrogel into the vas deferens — the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles — temporarily blocks sperm from passing through them. Guha’s injectable contraceptive, known as RISUG, remains under development in India after decades of research, regulatory review and bureaucratic obstacles. But now companies in the United States are pursuing their own versions, racing to bring "vas-occlusive" contraceptives to market.

Next Life Sciences has been developing Plan A, which uses Vasalgel, tracing its lineage directly to Guha's work. The nonhormonal contraceptive is designed to last about 10 years and can be reversed with a second injection of sodium bicarbonate solution, which dissolves the gel.

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