Collaborations and Consultations

Our basic science and development work are based at the Oregon National Primate Research Center, a research center of Oregon Health & Science University.  ONPRC provides key support services such as animal husbandry, veterinary care, and pathology services. OPERM-dedicated core facilities include a dedicated baboon housing facility, procedure and imaging suite, and histology core. However, as our goal includes advancement of a product into human clinical trials, we have added additional expertise from external collaborators and advisors.

We have partnered with the Population Council to co-develop our lead approach of transcervical delivery of polidocanol foam, with the goal of submitting an investigational new drug (IND) to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). The Population Council has proven capacity in developing contraceptive devices, including GMP and GLP laboratories for materials and analytics, and regulatory, toxicology, and clinical trial expertise. Their FDA-approved products include CuT380 IUD, Norplant, and Levonorgestrel IUS.

We are also partnered with the Woodrow Lab (University of Washington, Department of Bioengineering) to collaborate on the alternative approaches. 

A Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) provides additional consultation and evaluation of OPERM projects for scientific merit.  The OPERM SAB members are prominent scientists, medical professionals, and medical device experts with basic and clinical expertise in female reproduction and contraception.  Our current SAB members are: 

• David Archer, MD, Department of Ob/Gyn, Eastern Virginia School of Medicine
• Diana Blithe, PhD, Program Director, Contraception and Reproductive Health Branch, NICHD
• Charles Carignan, MD, CEO, SoniVie
• Jessica Grossman, MD, CEO, IgGenix
• Bob Katz, CTO, Hybridge Medical
• Lisa Rarick, MD, former Division Director, FDA
• John Sciarra, MD, Professor and Chair Emeritus, Northwestern University
• Donald Waller, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois, Chicago.