Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) awarded a $730,972 Project Grant to Massachusetts General Hospital under the Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.865) for the period June 1, 2026 through February 28, 2031. The grant supports research to develop novel small-molecule anti-Mullerian hormone receptor 2 (AMHR2) agonists as a new class of female contraceptives. The research addresses limitations of current hormonal contraceptives by targeting AMHR2, which is highly restricted to reproductive organs, thereby inhibiting early-stage follicle development through a mechanism that maintains normal sex steroid production and minimizes systemic side effects.

The funded research encompasses three primary objectives: (1) investigating the druggability of AMHR2 and the mechanism of action of small-molecule agonists through development of in silico models and cell-free binding assays; (2) designing and evaluating analogs of the lead compound CYC116 to enhance potency and specificity using iterative approaches with confirmation through ex vivo mouse ovary and rat fetal urogenital ridge cultures; and (3) conducting additional studies to advance the lead candidate toward preclinical validation and potential clinical trial translation in women. This research aims to establish a safer, more tissue-selective alternative to existing contraceptive options.