Celmatix Biosciences Launches Search for Next-Generation Oral Contraceptives
NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Celmatix, the next-generation women's health company, today announced an exploratory initiative to understand the potential of its genomics platform to identify novel biological targets for next-generation contraceptive drugs with support by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This is the first external collaboration for the Celmatix Biosciences program, which is aimed at leveraging genomic insights to revolutionize therapeutic options for women across the spectrum of reproductive health.
Today, over over 225 million women in low and middle-income countries have unmet needs for better contraception. While existing hormonal contraceptives have been an important pillar of promoting women's empowerment globally, for many women they have also been associated with health risks or side effects that contribute to reduced utilization. Genomic insights and personalization have led to the development of drugs with better safety profiles and tolerability across the spectrum, from cancer to cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, these genomic breakthroughs have not translated to reproductive health. With funding support from the Gates Foundation, Celmatix will investigate its genomics platform capability to identify and prioritize promising novel targets to primarily support female contraceptive drug discovery - for developing products aiming to have significantly reduced side-effect profiles to existing therapies, for example through developing non-hormonal approaches.
"When research leading to the development of oral contraceptives began in the 1940s, the complex biology of ovarian function and menstruation had not yet been elucidated. While the contraceptive pill formulation that resulted from this groundbreaking work revolutionized women's health and paved the way for women around the world to take greater control of their lives, women deserve even better options based on recent breakthroughs in our understanding of how the ovary functions," said Piraye Yurttas Beim, PhD, founder and CEO of Celmatix. "We are thrilled to have support from the Gates Foundation as we embark on this initiative to exit the era of contraceptives based on estrogen and progesterone and move into the 21st century."
To learn more about Celmatix Biosciences, please visit http://www.celmatixbiosciences.com.
About Celmatix Inc.
Celmatix is a next-generation women's health company transforming care through genomics and big data. Founded in 2009 and based in New York City, the company's research-driven products include the Fertilome® test, the world's first multigene panel test that reveals what a woman's DNA says about her reproductive health, Polaris®, a real-time predictive analytics platform that helps physicians optimize patient outcomes and improve the patient experience, and MyFertility Compass(TM), a free educational tool that gives women who are currently trying to conceive insights into their fertility potential. In 2018, the company launched Celmatix Biosciences, an AI-driven research-stage biotech division focused on the development of next-generation therapeutics.
SOURCE Celmatix
