Ocon Medical Ltd. has begun human clinical trials of its new contraceptive intrauterine device (IUD) - the IUB (Intra Uterine Ball), a technological breakthrough in the contraceptives market. It is based on a shape memory alloy used widely for various medical devices, such as coronary artery stents.
The IUB has been inserted in ten women in Europe to date and is due to be inserted in additional women. Interim results of the clinical trial are encouraging with the participating women reporting high satisfaction with the product.
The IUB is meant to reduce common side effects of IUDs, like menorrhagia and discomfort, as well as reducing the risks incurred during insertion. In contrast with current IUDs, the IUB is a three dimensional device that is formed to be fully compatible with the uterine cavity. its unique profile will enable it to serve other functions and indications in women's health beside contraception, such as a drug eluting platform.
Dr. Ilan Baram, a senior gynecologist, founded Ocon Medical in 2011, with the support of the Office of the Chief Scientist and Docor International Management Ltd. through Van Leer Ventures Jerusalem Ltd.
Ocon Medical CEO Ariel Weinstein said, “Answering an unmet need, the IUB is great news for any woman seeking a safe and comfortable contraceptive solution that does not involve highly deterring hormones, a combination that has not existed until now. We expect to gain substantial market share from copper and hormone eluting IUDs."
Ocon Medical says that IUD's have become the most common means of reversible contraception in the world, with more than 185 million users, an estimated market of over $1.6 billion a year and strong growth. A recent opinion published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes a recommendation to use IUDs for contraception by nulliparous women, including teenagers, in addition to childbearing women. The company expects the IUB to draw renewed attention to IUDs by women and should contribute to expanding the IUD use. Several recent medical publications, including in the New England Journal of Medicine cite the superiority of IUDs in terms of effectiveness (20 times more effective in pregnancy prevention than contraceptive pills for young women), and lower cost compared with other reversible contraceptive methods such as the pill and condoms.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 31, 2012
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