Schering and Organon have dissolved their collaboration on the development of a male contraceptive and decided to continue their research in this area separately.

Although the companies have been developing product based on testosterone and progestogen in tandem – and had reached Phase II with data providing evidence that the goal of a convenient male contraceptive is feasible – they have decided to abandon the project because the current delivery method is too cumbersome.

Their approach relied on the use of a contraceptive implant, given once a year, combined with three-monthly injections. But they came to the conclusion that this would only ever be a niche product, so have decided to part company and follow their own paths down the development trail.

The product was based on Organon’s etonorgestrel implant with injections of Schering’s testosterone undecanoate. Data from the Phase II study will be published in due course, they said.