RISUG is in the news again. Like it has been in the news for the past 3 decades. Touted as the new non surgical method of Male contraception, it is yet to enter clinical services. This month ICMR, the apex clinical research body in New Delhi India, declared that clinical trials on RISUG are ending and the drug is ready to enter clinical services.
Quick review of RISUG
1. Developed by Dr Guha at IIT Kharagpur in 1960’s
2. It is a mixture of stearic maleic anhydride. It is activated by DMSO.
3. Immobilises sperm due to change in charge on sperm membrane
4. Patent sold to a US NGO under the trademark “Vasagel”
5. Advanced RISUG available with metallic mix. Can be dissolved and controlled with electromagnetic field.
6. Clinical trials halted twice due to concerns about toxicity and albuminuria
7. Trials delayed due to India’s massive bureaucratic hurdles.
8. The drug is to be administers intravasally via a small skin puncture.
9. Drug is effective for more than 10 years.
If approved RISUG or Vasagel will be a game changer. It will be only reversible Male sterilization method available to men. It will allocate the no scalpel vasectomy to history books.
RISUG will also make vasectomy Reversal redundant.
Let’s hope this method enters clinical practice soon.
RISUG will be soon available at Govinda Medicentre in New Delhi India.
