L.R. Fox, CEO of NEXT Life Sciences
$400,000 / 2 Years
Awarded January 2024

NEXT Life Sciences

San Luis Obispo, California

About
​In 1979, scientific research in India led to the development of a method of male birth control known as RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance), which showed great promise in clinical trials and led to the development of a hydrogel that could be used to prevent the movement of sperm. In 2014, the technology was picked up by the American-based Parsemus Foundation and rigorously tested to show that the solution could be simplified and improved. This updated technology came to be known as Vasalgel® and is now licensed as the proprietary hydrogel used in the system NEXT Life Sciences is developing as Plan A™.

Plan A™ expands upon decades of research and clinical experience in the development of both RISUG and Vasalgel® technologies by also pioneering a new, minimally invasive delivery method designed to allow a provider to confirm with greater accuracy that the Vasalgel® is properly positioned within the vas deferens to act as a contraceptive. This updated approach would give providers comfort and confidence when providing Plan A™ to patients - to make this technology easily available and accessible at scale once marketing authorization is obtained.

Under the leadership of CEO, L.R. Fox, a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, NEXT Life Sciences has brought together some of the world’s most accomplished vasectomists, hydrogel experts, and contraceptive leaders to unite behind the vision of making this male contraceptive technology finally a tangible option in the market.

“We’re thrilled and extremely grateful to MCI for their commitment to excellence and innovation in the male contraceptive space,” said L.R. Fox. “NEXT is dedicated to developing a contraceptive solution that will finally meet men’s need for long-term effectiveness, convenient reversibility, and ease of access. We want to improve the quality of life for men and couples by giving men equitable access to participate in family planning with an option like Plan A™. This investment from MCI will help accelerate our progress towards those goals.”

The mission is for Plan A™ to involve only a quick visit to a provider who would deliver Vasalgel® into the vas deferens. When placed, the hydrogel would then form a flexible filter to block sperm while letting other fluids continue to flow through the vas deferens. The product is designed to allow for reliable effectiveness for up to 10 years and an easy reversal at any time through another short procedure to dissolve the hydrogel. Since Plan A™ is being developed to be fully reversible, it would be one of the only long-acting options for men to consider regardless of where they are in their parenting journey. Any man interested in a long-acting, reversible method of contraception would be who Plan A™ is intended for.

​NEXT Life Sciences has most recently concluded a successful clinical evaluation of its new delivery method in 24 men in Quebec City, Canada. This new method was evaluated by Michel Labrecque, MD PhD, a member of NEXT’s Medical Advisory Board, and globally-renowned medical doctor, professor, clinical researcher, and pioneer in the field of no-scalpel vasectomies. After a successful completion of the evaluation, Dr. Labrecque concluded “In both the formulation of its hydrogel and its unique delivery method, Plan A™ represents the evolution of a long line of research and advances in male contraceptive research.”

NEXT Life Science's CEO Luke Fox holding a vial of the company's hydrogel product Plan A

Our Grant
Our grant to NEXT Life Sciences will support their clinical trials of Plan A™ Contraception, which is being developed as a long-acting, non-hormonal, and reversible male contraceptive method with developmental roots dating back to the1970s.

"The 'IUD' for men: Could Plan A be the future of male contraception?" by The News Movement

"Plan A from NEXT Life Sciences Offers a New Option in Male Birth Control" by StartUp Health

"Plan A’s male birth control" by The Best One Yet

NEXT Life Sciences In the News

• "​Flagstaff research center developing non-hormonal birth control for men" from CBS
• "It's still a year or more away from market, but a Flagstaff startup is working on a medical male birth control method" from NBC
• "A ‘Plan A’ for men" by Politico
• "The tech entrepreneur working on a reversible male contraceptive" in The Times
• "Male birth control is the 'holy grail' for one Flagstaff company" from NPR
• "Male Contraceptive Initiative Supports the Launch of Plan A™ Male Birth Control" by the Associated Press
• "NEXT Life Sciences Announces Successful Clinical Evaluation of the Delivery Method for Plan A™ Contraception for Men" by the Associated Press
• ​"Male birth control maker raises $2.5 million to develop “Plan A”" in Axios
• "Male contraceptive under development blocks sperm with quick injection, easily reversible" from the NY Post
• "The Family Leads NEXT Life Sciences $2.5 Million Funding Round for Plan A Male Birth Control" by the Associated Press
• "Bolt’s Ryan Breslow Is Backing This Male Birth Control Startup" by Business Insider
• "New Horizons in Birth Control for Men" from Femtech Insider