YourChoice Therapeutics has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper in Communications Medicine, a Nature Portfolio Journal. The new manuscript details findings from the Phase 1a study of YCT-529, a hormone-free male birth control pill, conducted by Quotient Sciences.
Following successful preclinical studies, the Phase 1a study began at Quotient Sciences' Nottingham, UK facility in December 2023 to assess single doses of YCT-529 in 16 male volunteers. The study concluded in June 2024 with no observed impact on heart rate, blood parameters, testosterone levels, sexual desire, or mood.
YCT-529 is a retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RAR-α) antagonist designed to be a first-in-class, hormone-free, orally administered male contraceptive. Positive results from the Phase 1a clinical study supported the candidate’s follow up Phase 1b study, currently being conducted in New Zealand by NZCR.
A 2024 study published in Andrology (Wiley) showed strong global interest in novel male contraceptives, with 61% of men willing to try them and high levels of trust from female partners. Preferences were driven primarily by the method of administration and timing of use, highlighting significant potential for expanding male contraceptive options to meet unmet needs.
YCT-529 is on track to be the first, non-permanent contraceptive option for men in well-over a century, providing a potentially transformative healthcare choice in an area where innovation has been overdue.
The manuscript, “Safety and Pharmacokinetics of the Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive YCT-529,” is now available through Communications Medicine.