YourChoice Therapeutics is a San Francisco biotech developing YCT-529, a hormone-free oral male contraceptive that inhibits retinoic acid signaling via RAR-alpha to prevent sperm production and release. YCT-529 entered first-in-human testing with a Phase 1a study that began in December 2023 and has fully enrolled 16 male volunteers. The trial is underway at Quotient Sciences in the UK (NCT06094283). NIH-funded preclinical studies reported ~99% effectiveness and 100% reversibility with no side effects in animal models. The candidate was developed in collaboration with medicinal chemist Dr. Gunda Georg. Financially, the company has received targeted support from Male Contraceptive Initiative, including a $500,000 investment to advance YCT-529 into and through early clinical testing. YourChoice Therapeutics is a startup launched by Berkeley researchers developing a unisex, non-hormonal contraceptive that targets sperm physiology. Its first product is planned as a vaginal contraceptive applied before intercourse, followed by oral contraceptives for both genders. The team discovered that the natural compound lupeol can block a sperm protein required for fertilization, and says its approach does not affect cell function or gene expression, avoiding hormone-related risks like blood clots or cancer. Founders Akash Bakshi and Nadja Mannowetz, along with co-founder/advisor Dr. Polina V. Lishko, aim to have a contraceptive ready to market by 2025 while building a team of chemists. The company has raised $400,000 in funding to date, plus a $150,000 check from Y Combinator, and will pitch at Y Combinator Demo Days. It is seeking $2 million in venture capital to continue research and product development and to expand its chemistry team, targeting a market TechCrunch cites as worth $37 billion by 2023.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2024