More than 218 million women living in developing countries do not want to become pregnant but do not use effective contraceptive methods. For some of them, access to contraception is limited; for others, available methods are not acceptable or affordable. The goal of the Contraceptive Technology Innovation (CTI) Initiative is to develop new and strategically important contraceptives, through a strong focus on global partnerships, that ensures wide access to quality, affordable and acceptable products for those most in need.
The CTI Initiative, a project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is in Phase 2 of implementation. Overall, the CTI Initiative aims to develop new contraceptive products that are safe, effective, low-cost, easy to use and appealing to women in greatest need.
The second phase of the initiative is focusing on research and development of six contraceptive approaches:
- A microneedle patch
- Two biodegradable implant systems, one of which is the Casea S product
- A 6-month non-depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) self-injectable, also known as the LNG long-acting microsphere injectable, or the LLMI
- An extended duration DMPA self-injectable
- An alternative copper intrauterine device
The CTI Initiative leverages strategic partnerships with product development scientists, university and contract laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, nongovernmental organizations, clinical research sites, manufacturing groups and service delivery organizations. This work also leverages contraceptive research being conducted under the Envision FP and Innovate FP projects, both funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Developed as part of the CTI Initiative, the Contraceptive Technology Innovation (CTI) Exchange provides a web platform for increasing access to resources on contraceptive research, development, registration and introduction through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Two key resources on the site are Calliope, the Contraceptive Pipeline Database, with information on contraceptive products at various development stages or marketed only in limited regions, and CAPRI, the Contraceptive Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Database, which lists biochemical properties for 27 active pharmaceutical ingredients found in contraceptives, along with data on their pharmacology, toxicology, impurities, metabolites and use in marketed products.
For more information about the CTI Initiative, please contact us.