The intravaginal drug delivery platform is designed to address challenges associated with the self-administration of vaginal therapeutics.
Women’s health-focused medical device firm Calla Lily Clinical Care is to collaborate with Germany’s Merck to develop its intravaginal drug delivery platform.
Called Callavid, the platform is a leak-resistant medical device designed to address challenges associated with the self-administration of vaginal therapeutics. Administration via the vaginal route can be associated with increased patient anxiety related to positioning, dosing accuracy, and concerns around leakage, particularly for certain therapeutics used in fertility treatments, oncology and hormone therapies.
“This collaboration with Merck marks an important milestone in the development of Callavid, our novel vaginal drug delivery platform,” said Calla Lily chief executive Thang Vo-Ta.
“By improving how vaginal therapeutics are delivered and experienced, Callavid has the potential to enhance both patient outcomes and quality of life. We see this collaboration as a meaningful step toward translating our technology into real-world clinical and patient impact,” he added.
Callavid’s leak-free design delivers vaginal therapeutics using a small, tampon-shaped device combined with an integrated absorbent liner. It is designed for hygienic insertion, remains in place during drug absorption, and can be easily and cleanly removed. By supporting more consistent drug delivery and reducing concerns around leakage and positioning, Callavid is designed to improve the overall patient experience when administering vaginal medications.
Speaking at the Healthcare Today webinar earlier this week, Calla Lily co-founder and chair Lara Zibners added: “What most people don’t realise is that vaginal therapeutics potentially go well beyond gynaecologic conditions… This deal is extremely exciting for us.”
In April last year, Calla Lily secured £1 million in National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding to begin clinical trials of its device.
