First-in-line 3D-printed intravaginal ring for nonhormonal contraception

With nearly half of all pregnancies occurring unintended, effective and acceptable contraceptive options remain a global necessity. Though contraceptives with extended durations of action reduce the need for strict daily adherence, thus enhancing compliance and reliability, only one of these methods - the copper intrauterine device (IUD) - prevents pregnancy without administering exogenous hormones. Herein, we demonstrate co-delivery of two nonhormonal contraceptive agents, lactic acid (LA) and glycerol monolaurate (GML), using a next-generation 3D-printed intravaginal ring (IVR). Through alterations in ring properties and drug loading, a range of LA and GML release rates were achieved in vitro, demonstrating the flexibility of the platform technology. Rings elicited sustained release of LA and GML at target release rates over 30 days or longer. Additionally, these studies explored how drugs with different physiochemical properties interact within the IVR matrix and further elucidated IVR drug loading and release mechanisms.