LA-based startup pushing condomless male contraceptive raises $200K in new funding

A Los Angeles-based startup for a male contraceptive injection that blocks the movement of sperm raised $200,000 in a fresh round of funding, the company said.

NEXT Life Sciences said the infusion of cash from the Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI) will continue funding the development of its product, called Plan A.

MCI, the largest nonprofit dedicated to advancing male contraception, initially awarded NEXT a two-year grant in 2024.

Following a thorough review of the company’s progress, the MCI Research Committee has unanimously approved the second year’s installment of $200,000, bringing the total grant funding for Plan A to $400,000.

This renewed support arrives as NEXT prepares to launch clinical trials for Plan A in Australia in early 2025, followed by trials in the US and Canada later that year.

NEXT Life Sciences’ CEO Darlene Walley expressed gratitude for MCI’s commitment.

“Our goal is to bring this revolutionary contraceptive technology to the market to provide men with a long-lasting, reversible family planning option,” Walley said.

“This further investment from MCI will accelerate our progress toward clinical trials and make Plan A a reality.”

For decades, vasectomies and condoms have been the only widely available contraceptive options for men.

NEXT Life Sciences aims to change that with Plan A, a non-invasive procedure that involves injecting a hydrogel into the vas deferens, the tube that transports sperm.

The gel forms a semi-solid barrier that filters sperm from semen, rendering the individual temporarily sterile.

The company claims the procedure is effective for up to 10 years.

According to NEXT’s founder, LR Fox, the process is designed to be “quick, safe, and simple.”

Reversing the procedure involves another injection, this time of sodium bicarbonate, which dissolves the hydrogel and restores fertility.

“It’s all of the juice and none of the seed,” Fox told reporters, emphasizing the potential of Plan A to transform male birth control.

Interest in male contraceptive alternatives has surged, particularly among men between the ages of 18 and 45 who are in committed relationships but are not ready to have children.

Fox noted that condoms are not always reliable in preventing pregnancy and cited studies indicating that many women report decreased sexual satisfaction when their partners use them.

“The demand we’re seeing is from young professionals in committed relationships,” he added.

Last year, Contraline, a Virginia-based biotech firm, reported a 99% efficacy rate in clinical trials for its own male contraceptive procedure, ADAM, which has been described as an “IUD for men.”

With rising interest in male birth control, Plan A is poised to enter a rapidly evolving market.

Beyond effectiveness, Fox emphasizes the importance of equity in contraceptive responsibility.

“The burden [of contraception] falls squarely on the woman,” he said, noting that many female contraceptive options, including birth control pills and hormonal treatments, come with health risks.

By offering a reversible, long-term alternative for men, Plan A aims to provide a safer and more balanced approach to reproductive health.

The demand for Plan A is evident.

NEXT Life Sciences launched a high-urgency waitlist, receiving thousands of responses from men eager to be among the first to access the treatment once it becomes available.

Fox estimates that Plan A could be on the market within two years, pending approval from regulatory bodies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

While the company has not yet disclosed the cost of the procedure, Fox assured that accessibility is a priority.

“Every single person who needs Plan A will get Plan A,” he stated, emphasizing the widespread need for safe and effective male contraception.

With continued funding from MCI and growing public interest, NEXT Life Sciences is pushing forward with its clinical trials and regulatory approvals, aiming to redefine the landscape of male contraception in the near future.