Schering, Organon end collaboration on male birth control

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Sept. 19 - Schering AG and Organon announced Tuesday that they will continue research in male fertility control separately.

Their research collaboration will therefore conclude at the end of the phase 2 clinical trial, according to a joint news release.

Berlin-based Schering said it is committed to using what it's learned so far to continue development of a convenient contraceptive method for men.

Organon, based in Oss, the Netherlands, also said it will continue its research in this area.

Both companies described the collaboration as constructive but came to the conclusion that administering the annual implant with three-monthly injections would unlikely result in a product that would be acceptable for widespread everyday use.

The collaboration started in November 2002. The phase 2 trial, which started in January 2004, was designed to test the reliability and acceptability of two hormones in a combination that was known to have a suppressive effect on sperm production.

The trial medication and modes of administration were based on results from earlier studies showing that sperm production could be suppressed by the progestogen etonogestrel given as a subcutaneous implant, which was developed by Organon. While, at the same time, the resulting testosterone deficiency could be minimized with an injection of long-acting testosterone undecanoate, developed by Schering. Data from the trials will be jointly published upon final analysis.

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