A New Era in Male Contraception: Pain-Free, Non-Intrusive, and Reversible
TRIALS of a revolutionary ‘switch-on/off’ contraceptive could begin in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand as early as next year and the company is looking for men aged 25-65 to take part.
It aims to significantly reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies in the UK, which currently stands at nearly half of all pregnancies, with 36% resulting in abortion.
Globally, there are 121 million unintended pregnancies each year, with 61% ending in abortion.
Introducing Plan A: A Non-Hormonal, Long-Acting Solution
Developed by NEXT Life Sciences, Plan A is a non-hormonal, long-acting male contraceptive designed to be easily administered and swiftly reversible, unlike vasectomy, which is generally permanent.
Plan A could be available by 2028 if successful in trials, provided the company meets its current £8 million investment goal.
The Vision Behind Plan A
L.R. Fox, the 29-year-old CEO of NEXT Life Sciences, envisions Plan A as a primary choice for family planning, highlighting its potential global market value of £24 billion, which could double as more countries acknowledge the socio-economic impacts of unintended pregnancies.
Fox stresses that Plan A is not meant to replace vasectomy but to offer a reliable, reversible option for men who might want children in the future.
How Plan A Works
The investigational Plan A involves a hydrogel product, known as Vasalgel®, which is administered by a simple delivery. Once implanted, the hydrogel is designed to block the flow of sperm through the vas deferens tubes, while intending to be completely reversible, not affecting ejaculation, and with sperm filtered out to be naturally reabsorbed into the body.
These assumptions will be carefully tested and further demonstrated by NEXT in its upcoming clinical trials.
Fox emphasises that while vasectomies are suitable for men who are certain they don’t want more children, Plan A is ideal for younger men who may want to maintain their fertility options.
Target Audience and Market Potential
Plan A targets men aged 18-45, an age group currently lacking reliable contraceptive options due to the high failure rate of condoms (13-18%). With £4 million already raised for clinical trials, Fox is actively seeking additional investment, having recently met with potential investors in London and Zurich.
He is collaborating with Dunhill Ventures, whose chairman, Piers Dunhill, lauds Fox’s history of disruptive innovations and Plan A’s ethical and social significance.
Fox’s Track Record and Future Plans
Fox’s most recent breakthrough was with WhiteFox Defense and his DroneFox security systems used globally to protect airports, sports stadiums, and other public, commercial and private infrastructure against drone terrorist attacks and unwelcome surveillance.
He grew that company, WhiteFox Defense, and is also chairman of a US hospital, sparking his interest in healthcare and the global contraception issue.
“Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates famously said that contraceptives are one of the greatest life-saving and poverty-ending innovations in history. We’re talking to stakeholders including regulators in the US, UK and Europe about the Plan A clinical trials in order to ultimately help many nations who eagerly seek male contraception.”
Moving Forward: Regulatory and Social Implications
NEXT Life Sciences is in discussions with US, UK, and European regulators to facilitate Plan A’s clinical trials. Effective family planning solutions like Plan A could profoundly impact national prosperity, GDP, and social well-being by addressing unplanned pregnancies and contributing to the broader debate on abortion.
Conclusion:
As Plan A moves closer to reality, it represents a significant step forward in male contraception, offering a revolutionary, reversible solution that aligns with modern family planning needs.
