According to recent tests at Johns Hopkins University, a nanotech-based topical microbicide now in clinical development may prove to be a potent contraceptive.

Starpharma announced the results of the study which has shown that the active ingredient in its lead product, VivaGel, exhibits a potent contraceptive effect in rabbits, according to a report at Pharmalive.com:

VivaGel is already in clinical development as a topical microbicide for the prevention of HIV and genital herpes infection in women. If the contraceptive activity that has been observed in these initial animal studies were confirmed in humans it would allow for the development of VivaGel with contraception as an additional claim.

"This is a very exciting finding for the company and is of significance to the development of both the condom coating and stand-alone versions of VivaGel," said Starpharma's CEO Dr John Raff.

In the independent study undertaken at Johns Hopkins University, two different formulations containing 3% SPL7013 (the active ingredient dose level used in VivaGel) resulted in a 75% and 95% reduction respectively in the number of embryos in rabbits compared to an inactive control gel. These contraceptive effects are statistically comparable to published results of marketed contraceptive products based on the detergent nonoxynol-9 (N9).

And if it's 95% effective on rabbits, it must be good stuff (photo Starpharma)