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Daré Bioscience Announces Grant to Develop Novel Hydrogel Formulation for Delivery of Live Biotherapeutics to Support Vaginal Health
Grant Funds Will Support Development of a Reconstitutable Vaginal Thermosetting Gel Formulation to Ultimately Serve as a Delivery Vehicle that Allows
About this update from Dare Bioscience, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Grant Funds Will Support Development of a Reconstitutable Vaginal Thermosetting Gel Formulation to Ultimately Serve as a Delivery Vehicle that Allows Administration of Live Biotherapeutics at the Point of Care in a Wide Range of Settings SAN DIEGO, Nov. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daré Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: DARE), a leader in women’s health innovation, today announced it has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the foundation) of $584,986 to support activities related to development of a vaginal thermosetting gel formulation for the delivery of live biotherapeutics that can be reconstituted at the point of care. If successful, the formulation could be carried forward for further development as a delivery vehicle with potential to enhance the availability of novel therapeutics for vaginal health in the United States and worldwide, including in countries with varying climatic conditions and/or where extended storage may be required. Vaginal health conditions, such as bacterial vaginosis, remain prevalent and serious problems that can negatively impact a woman’s quality of life and create economic burden for women, employers, and the broader healthcare system. Scientific evidence suggests that there may be benefits to following an effective primary bacterial infection treatment with administration of live bacterial cultures to rebalance the vaginal microbiota disrupted by the infection. It is believed that addressing the vaginal dysbiosis by reconstituting the vaginal microbiota could reduce recurrence and reduce susceptibility to other infections and conditions, including sexually transmitted infections and preterm labor and birth. A barrier to development of live biotherapeutic products for vaginal administration in low and middle income countries is the identification of a delivery vehicle capable of maintaining the viability of the live microbes during product storage, shipment and distribution. “One of Daré’s top priorities is to accelerate the development of differentiated products that can not only improve outcomes but increase access and convenience for women,” said David Friend, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Daré Bioscience. “We previously demonstrated the ability of a novel hydrogel technology to effectively deliver an active pharmaceutical ingredient vaginally through the development and app...