Latest news with #YCT-529
Man of Many
2 days ago
- Health
- Man of Many
Male Birth Control Pill Passes Safety Trial in US
By Ben McKimm - News Published: 29 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 3 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. YCT‑529 male pill passes U.S. safety trial, no major side effects reported Non‑hormonal drug blocks vitamin‑A receptor, stopping sperm production initiation Study doses up to 180 mg showed unchanged hormones, mood, heart rate Requires three months of daily use to start or restore fertility Other male contraceptives coming: NES/T gel, ADAM reversible vas‑block implant Lads, the time has come. There's a male birth control pill on its way, and if we ask the ladies in the room, it's about damn time. It's been a great run for the rubber industry, and the vasectomy boys need a shoutout, too, but the ladies in our lives have been holding it down for too long with hormonal birth control pills and painful IUDs. It's our turn to carry some of the birth control burden, and with the new pill passing a safety trial in the US, it's just around the corner. Created by YourChoice Therapeutics, a single ascending dose study showed that up to 180mg of YCT-529 had no effects on heart rate, hormone (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone), sex hormone-binding globulin or inflammatory biomarker levels, sexual desire or mood, which is a substantial requirement in contraceptive development. We don't know how effective the pill will be at reducing sperm yet, but when you consider nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, that information couldn't come sooner. Image: Unsplash The first non-hormonal oral contraceptive for men, YCT-529, blocks a vitamin A metabolite from binding to its receptor in the testes, preventing the chain of gene-expression changes required to start the sperm-making process. Sounds complicated, but Stephanie Page, an endocrinologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who wasn't involved in the study and spoke to says, 'We really need more reversible contraceptive methods for men.' However, Page doesn't go quite so far as to say that the large claim of no side-effects on a small 16-person human trial should be taken so literally. 'I think it would be overstating the data to say they know much about side effects yet,' she told the website. 'Every medication on the market has side effects.' It takes three months for the body to produce mature sperm cells. That means the pills would take three months to become effective, and three months to resume normal sperm production. YCT-529 is not the only reversible male birth control method being developed. There's a gel called NES/T in the clinical trial pipeline in the US, which is applied daily to the shoulders and upper arms before being absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. There's also a hydrogel implant called ADAM, which acts as a reversible vasectomy by blocking the vas deferens.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Contraceptive pill for men that doesn't alter hormones is safe to take, study suggests
Oral female contraceptive tablets have been available for 60 years but there has never been an authorised male version. Female tablets work by altering hormone levels to reduce the risk of conception but this approach has proven difficult in men because of severe side effects such as infertility and mood swings. These side effects are common in female versions. YourChoice Therapeutics has developed the first non-hormonal contraceptive for men which works by blocking the production of a protein, which is needed to produce sperm, and not meddling with hormones. The drug stops production of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-alpha) in the body and this prevents it binding to vitamin A compounds and subsequently prevents sperm production. Animal studies showed this mechanism to be 99pc effective and also found that sperm levels returned to normal after the medication was stopped, showing the contraceptive to be temporary and reversible. Human trials began in 2023 when 16 healthy men who had already had a vasectomy were recruited to test the safety of the drug in people. Data, published this week, show it to be safe and well-tolerated with no clinically relevant side effects in a significant step forward for the prospects of the drug, known as YCT-529. The trial of 16 British men gave participants either the tablet or a placebo and conducted analysis on the participants to measure their blood, urine, mood and overall health. Four different dosages were tested and all were found to be well-tolerated. The highest dose was the same as what was shown to be effective as a contraceptive in animal trials. There was no reduction in testosterone levels, sex drive or any other hormonal imbalance, the scientists found. 'The positive results from this first clinical trial laid the groundwork for a second trial, where men receive YCT-529 for 28 days and 90 days, to study safety and changes in sperm parameters,' the study authors write in their peer-reviewed study in the journal Communications Medicine.
Mint
5 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Male contraceptive YCT-529 a breakthrough? Birth control pill that temporarily halts sperm without hormones clears trial
In a new development, men may soon be able to equitably share the responsibility of avoiding pregnancy along with their partners as YCT-529, a birth control experimental pill has passed its initial human safety test, making another way for contraception. It will reportedly cease sperms temporarily without hinderance to hormones. Unlike conventional hormonal birth control pills, the innovative pill developed by YourChoice Therapeutics temporarily halts sperm production while leaving testosterone levels unchanged, New York Post reported. It functions by inhibiting a protein named retinoic acid receptor alpha, which is essential in the sperm creation process. Initial studies indicate that its effects are completely reversible. In tests involving male mice, YCT-529 significantly decreased sperm production, leading to reversible infertility after only four weeks of treatment. When these treated males bred with females, the drug demonstrated a 99% success rate in preventing pregnancy. Comparable outcomes were observed in male nonhuman primates, with sperm counts declining within two weeks of beginning the treatment. Importantly, fertility was fully restored in both species once the drug was discontinued. Mice recovered within six weeks, while primates regained fertility between 10 and 15 weeks. No side effects were noted in either group throughout the studies, the report added. The initial human trial of the medication included 16 healthy males aged 32 to 59, all of whom had previously had vasectomies, a surgical operation that severs and blocks the tubes transporting sperm from the testicles to prevent conception. This additional safety measure was required because no nonhormonal male contraceptive had ever been evaluated in humans before. Scientists wanted to eliminate any chance of permanently impacting fertility, in case participants wished to have children later, Nadja Mannowetz, co-founder and chief science officer of YourChoice Therapeutics, informed Scientific American. She clarified the objective was not to assess effectiveness but to determine if the drug was tolerated well and to observe how it accumulated in the body. Researchers tested multiple doses and found no concerning side effects. There were no changes in heart rate, hormone levels, inflammation, sexual function, or mood. This finding is important because hormonal contraceptives have previously been linked to side effects like mood swings, decreased libido, weight gain, and acne. Mannowetz pointed out that across all doses, the drug demonstrated good and rapid bioavailability, which means it remained active in the body without breaking down too quickly, the report mentioned.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Birth control pill for men that temporarily stops sperm — without hormones — passes safety trial
Men might finally get a chance to bench their swimmers. A first-of-its-kind male birth control pill just cleared its first human safety test, raising hopes that it could soon open the door to a new era of contraception. The drug, YCT-529, is currently enrolled in a larger clinical trial, with experts hoping it'll be ready to hit the shelves by the end of the decade. Here's everything you need to know about this potential pregnancy game-changer. Advertisement 4 The development comes as condom use among men is declining. TanyaJoy – What is YCT-529? Unlike traditional birth control pills that disrupt hormones, this experimental pill from YourChoice Therapeutics temporarily halts sperm production without affecting testosterone levels. It works by blocking a protein called retinoic acid receptor alpha, which plays a key role in the sperm making process. The best part: Early evidence suggests it's totally reversible. Advertisement Does the pill work? In tests on male mice, YCT-529 sharply reduced sperm production, causing reversible infertility within just four weeks. When treated males mated with females, the drug proved 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Similar results were seen in male non-human primates, whose sperm counts dropped within two weeks of starting treatment. Advertisement 4 If approved, the pill could provide men with more control over their reproductive health. Christoph Burgstedt – Notably, both animals fully regained fertility after stopping the drug, with mice recovering within six weeks and primates within 10 to 15 weeks. No side effects were reported in either group. Is it safe for humans? Advertisement So far, so good. The first human trial testing the drug involved 16 healthy men between 32 and 59 — all of whom had previously undergone vasectomies, a surgical procedure that cuts and blocks the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to prevent pregnancy. This extra precaution was necessary because no non-hormonal male contraceptive had ever been tested in humans before. Researchers wanted to avoid any risk of permanently affecting fertility, just in case participants wanted to father children later, Nadja Mannowetz, co-founder and chief science officer of YourChoice Therapeutics, told Scientific American. The goal wasn't to test effectiveness but to see if the drug was well tolerated and to measure how it built up in the body, she explained. 4 The contraceptive had no major side effects when tested in male animals and humans. InsideCreativeHouse – After testing multiple doses, researchers didn't find any concerning side effects, including no changes in heart rate, hormone levels, inflammation, sexual function or mood. That's notable, because hormonal contraceptives have previously been linked to side effects like mood swings, libido loss, weight gain and acne. Advertisement Across all doses, scientists also 'saw good and quick bioavailability,' meaning the drug stayed active in the body without breaking down too fast, Mannowetz noted. Why do we need a male birth control pill? 'Studies and surveys continue to show that men want to share the burden of pregnancy prevention with their partners,' Akash Bakshi, CEO of YourChoice Therapeutics, said in a statement. 'But they have just one non-permanent contraceptive option — condoms — and it's 170 years old.' Across the country, the rate of unintentional pregnancy is nearly 50%. While female contraception offers a variety of options — including pills, implants, injections and devices — vasectomies remain the only reversible male birth control method approved by federal regulators. 4 Currently, women bear the majority of the burden for contraception. luckybusiness – Advertisement However, the success of vasectomy reversal procedures varies widely from person to person, and the longer the time since the procedure, the lower the success rate tends to be. While condoms are available, studies show that men are increasingly not using them. Several promising reversible male birth control candidates are currently in development and undergoing clinical trials, but most rely on hormonal methods, which carry a higher risk of side effects. Advertisement 'A safe and effective male pill will provide more options to couples for birth control,' Gunda Georg, chemist and pharmacist at the University of Minnesota, which is collaborating on the drug with YourChoice Therapeutics, said earlier this year. 'It will allow a more equitable sharing of responsibility for family planning and provide reproductive autonomy for men,' he continued. What's next for YCT-529? The drug is now being tested in a larger trial with over 50 men who either had vasectomies or made the decision to opt out of fatherhood. Advertisement Participants will take the pill daily for 28 and 90 days at different doses, while researchers monitor safety and see how well it shuts down sperm production. The trial is expected to wrap up by mid-2026 — and if all goes well, the first male birth control pill could be just a few years away from hitting the medicine cabinet.
India Today
7 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Male birth control pill shows promising results in first human trial
After decades of little progress in non-hormonal male contraception, scientists are now a step closer to a breakthrough. A new drug called YCT-529, taken as a pill, has shown promising results in a recent early-stage human drug works by blocking a protein involved in sperm production, specifically, by disrupting the action of retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A that plays a key role in the development of sperm in the testes. The results of the trial were published in the journal Communications drug YCT-529 is a non-hormonal oral pill developed in collaboration with Columbia University in New York and YourChoice Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company conducting clinical trials. Previously, the pill showed 99% efficacy previously in mice and male monkey experiments, in which fertility was regained within 6 weeks in mice and 10 to 15 weeks in other experimental male contraceptives, YCT-529 does not affect hormone levels, making it potentially safer and more appealing for long-term this first-ever human study, 16 healthy male volunteers were given single doses of the pill in varying strengths - 10, 30, 90, and 180 were monitored closely for side effects and changes in vital health indicators, including heart rate, mood, sexual desire, and hormone results were encouraging: no major side effects were reported and the drug did not affect testosterone or other reproductive hormone and libido remained unchanged, easing concerns about psychological or sexual side the highest dose of 180 mg was well also tested how the drug behaved when taken with food and found no major difference, meaning it could be taken with or without was a Phase 1a trial, which is designed to test the safety of a drug before moving on to larger studies that look at how effective it is at its intended purpose, in this case, reducing sperm count to prevent it's still early days, the success of YCT-529 in this trial is a hopeful sign for the future of non-hormonal male birth control—a field that hasn't seen much progress in the last 50 years.- Ends
