 University Start-up ContraVac Gains FDA Approval, Wins Grant
This has already already proven to be a fertile year for University of Virginia start-up company, ContraVac. The company recently received FDA approval for SpermCheck Vasectomy, a home test that confirms men's post-vasectomy sterility and was also the recipient of $194,700 in funding from the Commonwealth Technology Research Fund (CTRF).
SpermCheck Vasectomy is one of several products founded on technology developed by John C. Herr, director of U.Va.'s Center for Research in Contraceptive and Reproductive Health, and patented and licensed by the U.Va. Patent Foundation. "The SpermCheck Vasectomy test is the result of many years of basic science research coupled with clinical chemistry know-how," said Herr, a professor in U.Va.'s Department of Cell Biology, citing interdisciplinary clinical collaborations with Drs. Stuart S. Howards, professor of urology, and Charles J. Flickinger, professor emeritus of cell biology. "Similar to a home pregnancy test for women, it is the first immunodiagnostic test with the sensitivity and specificity required to detect low numbers of sperm, and it is the first immunodiagnostic test to receive FDA approval for monitoring sperm count after vasectomy."
The device gives men an opportunity to test their post vasectomy fertility status at home rather than return to the physician's office or a laboratory with semen samples, as has traditionally been required to confirm sub-fertile sperm levels.
ContraVac expects SpermCheck Vasectomy to become publicly available this summer. Herr continues to advance reproductive technology through his research. His latest funded project, backed by a CTRF grant and being conducted in partnership with ContraVac, aims to gain regulatory approval for three SpermCheck® immunochromatographic devices for home testing of male fertility. The state grant is administered by the Center for Innovative Technology.
According to Virginia Secretary of Technology Aneesh P. Chopra, chair of the fund's Grant Allocation Committee, the goal of the fund is to leverage public funds to "kickstart technology innovations that are aligned with our key areas of interests — life sciences, energy and technology."
ContraVac is a graduate of the T100 Alumni Mentoring Program. Ed Leary, ContraVac’s chief financial officer notes that the T100 program was instrumental to the company’s development, providing early investment contacts, insight on significant contracts, and assistance in forming a dynamic board of directors. “I would advise all early stage technology transfer companies to take advantage of the T100 opportunity,” says Leary. SpermCheck Vasectomy will be publicly available in the summer of 2008.
ContraVac is seeking additional financing in order to begin a sales and marketing campaign for the device. Please contact Ed Leary to find out more.
This material is adapted from two recent press releases:
State Fund Backs U.Va. Research with Commercial Potential
U.Va. Researcher's Sperm-Check Home Test Receives FDA OK
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