Daré Bioscience Secures $2M NIH Grant Extension for DARE-PTB1 Preterm Birth Ring
Daré Bioscience received a revised NIH notice extending the budget period for the second $1.0M tranche of its $2.0M grant through November 30, 2026, funding a Phase 1 comparative pharmacokinetics study of DARE-PTB1. The investigational intravaginal ring delivers bio-identical progesterone up to 14 days to prevent preterm birth.
1. NIH Funding Extension Details
Daré Bioscience received a revised Notice of Award extending the budget and project period for the second tranche of its NIH grant, allocating approximately $1.0 million through November 30, 2026. The extension brings the total federal support for the DARE-PTB1 program to roughly $2.0 million, covering a Phase 1 comparative pharmacokinetics clinical study in at-risk women.
2. DARE-PTB1 Program Overview
DARE-PTB1 is an investigational intravaginal ring designed to deliver bio-identical progesterone continuously for up to 14 days, targeting the prevention of preterm birth in women at elevated risk. With no FDA-approved preventive options currently available, the ring leverages insights from Daré’s earlier DARE-HRT1 trials using the same IVR platform technology.
3. Strategic Impact on Pipeline
The non-dilutive NIH award underscores Daré’s strategy of pairing grant funding with focused development to advance multiple women’s health programs simultaneously. By securing this extension, the company strengthens its cash position and de-risks early clinical activities, positioning DARE-PTB1 as a first-of-its-kind preventive solution in a high-unmet-need segment.