Title | Optimization of lead compounds into on-demand, nonhormonal contraceptives: leveraging a public-private drug discovery institute collaboration†. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Balbach M, Fushimi M, Huggins DJ, Steegborn C, Meinke PT, Levin LR, Buck J |
Journal | Biol Reprod |
Volume | 103 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 176-182 |
Date Published | 2020 08 04 |
ISSN | 1529-7268 |
Abstract | Efforts to develop new male or female nonhormonal, orally available contraceptives assume that to be effective and safe, targets must be (1) essential for fertility; (2) amenable to targeting by small-molecule inhibitors; and (3) restricted to the germline. In this perspective, we question the third assumption and propose that despite its wide expression, soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC: ADCY10), which is essential for male fertility, is a valid target. We hypothesize that an acute-acting sAC inhibitor may provide orally available, on-demand, nonhormonal contraception for men without adverse, mechanism-based effects. To test this concept, we describe a collaboration between academia and the unique capabilities of a public-private drug discovery institute. |
DOI | 10.1093/biolre/ioaa052 |
Alternate Journal | Biol Reprod |
PubMed ID | 32307523 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC7401349 |