The
growth of the global contraceptive drugs market is driven by alarming increase
in the incidence of STDs, rise in unintended pregnancy rate, and need for
family planning across the world, owing to rapidly growing population and
socioeconomic burden related to teenage pregnancy. The impact of the drivers is
expected to surpass that of the restraints.
the global contraceptive drugs market size
was valued at $14.32 billion in 2019, and is projected to garner $24.41 billion
by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.9% during the analysis period.
Growth in need to prevent unwanted pregnancy,
surge in awareness for contraceptives across the world, and rise in usage of
oral contraceptives as a preferred method to avoid unplanned pregnancy drive
the growth of the global contraceptive drugs market. In addition, increase in
government and NGO initiatives promoting contraceptives and mounting awareness
about STDs further fuel the growth of the global market. However, health risks
related to the use of contraceptive methods restrain the growth to some extent.
Nevertheless, rise in disposable income, growth in demand for healthy life in
emerging economies, and presence of large unmet contraceptive needs in emerging
Asian and African economies are anticipated to present an array of
opportunities in the near future.
Limited contraceptive
options
People who produce sperm are currently limited to
two forms of contraception – condoms, which can fail, and a vasectomy, a
surgical procedure that is regarded as a permanent form of sterilization. A
2019 survey by the Male Contraceptive Initiative found that 70% of men in
the United States aged 18–44 are “somewhat or very interested in new male
contraception.”
EF-4-177 reduces sperm count by 45% in mice
The
researchers sought to develop a drug that inhibits a protein called
cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), which belongs to the cyclin-dependent kinase
protein family. This family of proteins is involved in sperm cell production
and tumor development. Mice lacking the CDK2 receptor are sterile, suggesting
it could be an effective target for inhibition as a contraceptive. However, the
receptor is structurally similar to other enzymes within the CDK family,
therefore increasing the likelihood of off-target effects.
They selected one molecule for further
optimization: EF-4-177, which bound to CDK2 more strongly than the dye. Georg
and team found that this compound demonstrated a long half-life in mice, and
after 28 days’ exposure, the animals’ sperm count reduced by 45%. “This work
details the discovery of the highest affinity allosteric CDK inhibitors
reported and shows promise for this series to yield an efficacious and
selective allosteric CDK2 inhibitor,” the researchers write.
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