Researchers are developing an injection that creates a contraceptive implant in the body using an approach that could herald a new way of delivering drugs over long periods of time.
Current contraceptive implants last for years, meaning women do not have to take a pill every day, but the devices must be fitted by a trained professional via a small surgical procedure.
Contraceptive injections are already available but they have limitations, including that they last for only three months.
Now scientists say they have completed proof-of-concept experiments for a new type of long-lasting implant that self-assembles in the body.
While not yet tested in humans, the researchers behind the work say the approach could bring benefits beyond the field of birth control, offering a simple way to administer long-acting drug delivery…