Strata Various Product Design

Los Angeles, CA, August 13, 2010 --(PR.com)-- NIH funding was awarded to Strata Various Product Design on July 1, 2010, for an 18 mo, Phase 1 Feasibility & Acceptability Study of a new female condom concept, the ORIGAMI Female Condom. This grant will help to develop the device, conduct preclinical testing, conduct a User Preference Study and a Couples Acceptability & Performance Study.

The new condom concept is intended to be more attractive and pleasurable for both partners. The manufacturer says "The OrigamiFemale Condom has a 'no-fumble' method of insertion that is quicker and easier to use than existing commercially available product."

The company believes "The Origami Female Condom could set a higher standard as the preferred condom for men and women, which could surpass male condom sales 3 to 1 by 2020." The inventor, Daniel Resnic is the Principal Investigator for the research project. The co-Investigator, Dr. Arianne van der Straten, is the director of the Women’s Global Health Imperative at RTI International in San Francisco. "The ultimate goals for the new device include contraception and STD prevention, which will be subsequently considered in a Phase II Study for FDA review," according to the manufacturer.

Objectives of the company are two-fold; to place emphasis on pleasure while simultaneously improving safety. A custom designed material was preclinically tested for biocompatibility and showed zero viral permeability to the Phi-X174 bacteriophage, one of the smallest known viruses. In contrast, a leading brand of a male latex condom was tested with 5% viral permeability.

Following successful Phase I results, additional feasibility studies in other regions of the world are planned.

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