World's first male contraceptive begins clinical trials

The world's first male contraceptive pill is coming, and clinical trials have begun. According to the University of Minnesota, a male contraceptive called YCT-529 developed by YourChoice Therapeutics officially started Phase 1 clinical trials in the UK this week.It is reported that they will evaluate the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of the drug in 16 male subjects. It is the world's first non-hormonal male contraceptive to undergo clinical trials.

Previously, male contraceptives in clinical trials were all hormonal drugs, which not only had limited effects but also had serious side effects.

Over the past few decades, women have shouldered the lion's share of the birth control burden, from birth control pills to patches to IUDs and more.

Male contraception mainly involves the use of condoms and vasectomy, but because vasectomy is irreversible, acceptance among men is low.

YCT-529, developed by University of Minnesota professor Gunda Georg in collaboration with YourChoice Therapeutics, is a retinoic acid receptor inhibitor that prevents sperm formation by blocking vitamin A acquisition.