Towards the development of a longer-acting injectable contraceptive: past research and current trends.
OBJECTIVE
A longer-acting injectable contraceptive that lasts for 6 months would be a valuable addition to the contraceptive method mix and ideal for women who are interested in spacing births and/or uncertain about their future reproductive plans. Here we review past applications of drug delivery technologies to injectable contraceptives as well as recent advancements in sustained drug delivery technologies that hold promise for the development of a new longer-acting injectable contraceptive product.


METHODS
A global landscape analysis was conducted, promising sustained drug delivery technologies, and research opportunities and partnerships were established with experts in the fields of contraception and drug delivery to identify new approaches in developing a longer-acting injectable contraceptive product.


RESULTS
The landscape analysis confirmed that a number of existing polymer systems, such as poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid and poly(epsilon-caprolactone), remain promising candidates for application to a longer-acting injectable product. Novel polymers and materials also hold promise for achieving longer release profiles and/or having other advantages over existing polymer systems, but products using these materials could potentially have longer roads to regulatory approval. Additionally, recent advancements in the manufacturing process of microspheres may benefit the development of a longer-acting injectable contraceptive.


CONCLUSIONS
The design of any new injectable product must take into account the limitations of current injectable contraceptives and address concerns that women may have for a longer-acting product. FHI 360 is supporting several research collaborations for proof of concept of various drug delivery approaches for achieving longer-acting product that fits an established target product profile.
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: vhalpern@fhi360.org.
Vera
V
Halpern
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: rstalter@fhi360.org.
Randy M
RM
Stalter
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: dowen@fhi360.org.
Derek H
DH
Owen
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: ldorflinger@fhi360.org.
Laneta J
LJ
Dorflinger
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: alendvay@fhi360.org.
Anja
A
Lendvay
FHI 360, 359 Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, USA. Electronic address: krademacher@fhi360.org.
Kate H
KH
Rademacher
D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D011108:Polymers
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011108:Polymers
Drug delivery; Injectable contraceptives; LARCs; Research and development