The Contraceptive Research and Development Program (CON-RAD) is supported by a large grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development, $28 million over five years. Some of the work is being done here, but about two-thirds of the budget is going into extramural research.
CONRADs primary goal is improved methods of fertility regulation for developing countries. The combination of in-house and extra-mural R&D provides a synergism which can significantly accelerate overall progress, said Gary D. Hodgen, scientific director of the Jones Institute and director of the program.
Contraceptive research has been at close to a standstill for several years. Pharmaceutical companies have essentially abandoned the field because of liability problems, lengthy government-approval procedures, and low profit potential, particularly in the Third World market.
Hodgen stressed that CONRAD exemplifies the best interaction of public and private money. The government, he noted, is supporting early research plus Phase ¡ and II clinical ...
