Daré Bioscience Announces Grant to Support Development of a Novel Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Candidate and Expansion of Ovaprene® Pivotal Study Clinical Trial Sites

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Daré Bioscience, Inc.
Daré Bioscience, Inc.

- Grant funds will support activities that will aid in the identification and development of a novel non-hormonal intravaginal contraceptive product candidate.

- Grant will also provide funding to allow Daré to expand the number of clinical sites in the ongoing Ovaprene® pivotal study to accelerate the development timeline.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daré Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: DARE), a leader in innovation for the health and wellbeing of women, today announced it entered into a grant agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a grant of up to approximately $10.7 million to fund activities related to the identification and development of a novel non-hormonal intravaginal contraceptive product candidate and to add additional clinical sites to accelerate the ongoing Ovaprene® pivotal study.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant and to see the foundation’s continued commitment to invest in non-hormonal contraceptive methods,” said Sabrina Martucci Johnson, President and CEO at Daré Bioscience. “We believe that we are the right organization to move these innovative programs forward, given our extensive experience in the contraceptive space; in particular with novel non-hormonal product development, and our proven ability to advance development of differentiated product candidates that fulfill unmet needs in women’s health.”

In addition to support for the Ovaprene® clinical trial, the grant will also support activities to de-risk the development of a novel non-hormonal intravaginal contraceptive, suitable for and acceptable to women in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings who need or would prefer to use such a product to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.

“We are very pleased that the foundation also sees the potential of a novel non-hormonal intravaginal contraceptive,” said Liz Proos, VP of Product Development at Daré Bioscience. “We believe such a method could fill an important gap in contraceptive options globally, which would make a meaningful impact towards empowering women to take charge of their reproductive health.”

Daré will receive an initial payment of approximately $5.4 million under the grant agreement in 2024. Additional payments are contingent upon Daré’s achievement of development and reporting milestones specified in the grant agreement during the approximately 24-month term of the grant agreement.

About Daré Bioscience

Daré Bioscience is a biopharmaceutical company committed to advancing innovative products for women’s health. The company’s mission is to identify, develop and bring to market a diverse portfolio of differentiated therapies that prioritize women's health and well-being, expand treatment options, and improve outcomes, primarily in the areas of contraception, sexual health, pelvic pain, fertility, infectious diseases, and menopause.