An interdisciplinary research team from Goethe University Frankfurt, the University Hospital Bonn and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich has launched the PREVENT project. The aim is to develop novel, non-hormonal contraceptive methods for women and men. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with three million euros until 2029.

Since the 1960s, the so-called “pill” has been considered a milestone in female self-determination and has long been the most frequently used contraceptive in Germany. Today, their acceptance is declining: Recent surveys by the Federal Center for Health Education show that since 2023, the condom has replaced the pill as the number one contraceptive for younger adults. The reasons are known side effects of hormonal contraceptives such as nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, high blood pressure, liver dysfunction or an increased risk of thrombosis. In addition, certain medications and preparations such as St. John’s wort can reduce effectiveness, and the pill is contraindicated for some pre-existing conditions.

The PREVENT team, led by Dr. Claudia Tredup from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Goethe University, relies on non-hormonal approaches. The researchers want to develop small molecules that specifically block proteins that occur exclusively in sperm or egg cells. This could, for example, restrict sperm motility or interrupt other processes crucial for fertilization without interfering with the hormonal control circuit.

Since contraceptives are administered to healthy people, they must be highly reliable, reversible, very well tolerated and as few side effects as possible, according to the project managers. In order to meet these high requirements, a drug development platform is to be set up within the framework of PREVENT. It includes technologies and tools for validating new contraceptive concepts. Highly selective chemical probes should make it possible to test potential target proteins in a targeted manner and create a solid basis for preclinical and later clinical developments.

The researchers are building on already known genes that are associated with infertility. The team wants to use the existing knowledge to establish the corresponding proteins as safe target structures for non-hormonal contraceptive strategies. In addition to Dr. Claudia Tredup and Prof. Stefan Knapp (Goethe University), Prof. Daniel Merk (LMU Munich), Prof. Hubert Schorle and Prof. Jean-Pierre Allam (University Hospital Bonn) are also involved.

Those responsible for the project see PREVENT not only as a pharmaceutical project, but also as a contribution to social goals such as reproductive self-determination and global health policy.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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