Contraline, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel male contraceptives, announced the closing of a $92.5 million Series B financing round. The financing was co-led by BVF Partners L.P. and RA Capital Management, with participation from GV, Lumira Ventures, Invus, and other new and existing investors.
The proceeds from the financing will support the late-stage development of NES/T Gel, an investigational hormonal, reversible male contraceptive designed for daily use. The funding will also support the advancement of other pipeline programs. As part of the financing, Iris van Alderwerelt van Rosenburgh, Ph.D., of BVF Partners L.P. will join Contraline’s Board of Directors.
NES/T Gel is a once-daily topical treatment that combines the synthetic progestin segesterone acetate (Nestorone®) with testosterone. The therapy is designed to suppress sperm production while maintaining physiological testosterone levels.
The product recently completed a global Phase 2b clinical trial involving 462 couples. According to the company, the study demonstrated encouraging efficacy, tolerability, reversibility, and user acceptability. Contraline expects to begin Phase 3 clinical development in 2027.
Contraline noted that survey data suggest more than 40 million men in the United States would consider using a novel male contraceptive, underscoring the potential market opportunity for expanded male reproductive health options.
NES/T was developed by the Population Council in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Contraline holds the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the program.
Alongside NES/T, the company is also advancing ADAM, an investigational long-lasting, non-hormonal, and reversible male contraceptive currently in clinical development.
NES/T Gel remains an investigational drug and has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority.
KEY QUOTES:
“Male contraception represents one of the largest unmet needs in reproductive health. Our mission at Contraline is to create new contraceptive options that expand reproductive choice for men and couples. Survey data suggest that more than 40 million men in the United States would consider using a novel male contraceptive, highlighting both the scale of the market opportunity and the potential impact our products could have on men’s and women’s health.”
Kevin Eisenfrats, Co-Founder and CEO, Contraline
“This financing enables Contraline to advance NES/T through Phase 3 development and positions the program to potentially become the first approved pharmacologic contraceptive for men. We believe this is a meaningful step towards expanding contraceptive options for men and couples worldwide.”
Iris van Alderwerelt van Rosenburgh, Ph.D., BVF Partners L.P.
“Male contraception has long been an overlooked area. Contraline is helping redefine what reproductive choice can look like by giving men a more active role in family planning and expanding options for couples who may not be well served by existing contraceptives. We’re excited to be a part of this new chapter in reproductive health.”
Laura Stoppel, Partner, RA Capital Management
