The Population Council’s International Committee for Contraception Research (ICCR) welcomed a global consortium of clinical scientists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, and andrologists to discuss novel contraceptive technologies for an all-day in-person meeting in New York City in April. Originally established in 1970, the mission of the ICCR is to advise the Council on reproductive health research priorities to bring high-quality, and highly effective methods of contraception to women, men, and young people, particularly in low-resource settings.
Current active members of the ICCR include:
- Régine Sitruk-Ware, ICCR Chairperson, Population Council, USA
- Philippe Bouchard, University of Paris, France
- Vivian Brache, PROFAMILIA, Dominican Republic
- William Bremmer, University of Washington, USA
- Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- Anna Glasier, University of Edinburgh and Women’s Health Champion, Scotland
- Jeffrey T. Jensen, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
- Carolina Sales Vieira, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Christina Wang, UCLA School of Medicine, USA
Population Council proudly welcomed all current ICCR members to the meeting with additional attendees representing numerous collaborative agencies, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), FHI 360, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Over the years, the ICCR has brought new ideas and concepts to inform and contribute to the clinical development of new female and male contraceptives, leading to the design of novel prototypes by our scientists. Lecture and discussions included during April’s meeting included male contraceptive development, global guidelines for male contraception, multipurpose technologies focused on intervaginal ring development, and more.
The ICCR global advisory board has worked with the Population Council Center for Biomedical Research to develop long-acting, reversible contraceptives, including ParaGard® and Mirena® IUDs; Norplant® and Jadelle® implants; and Progering® and Annovera® vaginal rings. Some of Population Council’s most valuable partnerships have come under the auspices of the ICCR, a brain trust of some of the world’s leading experts in contraceptive R&D.
The Council is grateful for this opportunity to strengthen working relationships and share knowledge, thereby accelerating joint efforts to ensure global access to safe, quality, and highly effective contraception.