efficacy of vr101 as a personal lubricant

Conditions: Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological

Summary: this clinical investigation (ci03) is designed to validate the efficacy of the vr101 lubricating intravaginal ring (ivr) as a personal lubricant device. in the proposed clinical investigation, participants will be randomized into two groups for the study, vr101 active ring and inactive ring. participants will use vr101 active rings or inactive rings for 28 days in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group design. the study also includes an optional two-week open-label extension with active rings, and a one-week follow-up.

background this study will look at the use of a study device that is intended to provide moisture and lubrication to enhance the ease and comfort of intimate sexual activity and supplement the body's natural lubrication. to date, regarding human clinical testing, the study device has been tested and evaluated in a human study with 72 female subjects and another study with 21 female subjects. the purpose of this research study is to assess how safe and effective the study device (a vaginal ring referred to as vr101) is at providing personal lubrication. the study will compare the effectiveness of vr101 active ring compared to vr101 inactive ring, to enhance the ease and comfort of intimate sexual activity and supplement the body's natural lubrication. this is a research study to test a new investigational device. an investigational device is one that is not approved by the united states food and drug administration (fda). the study device is in the form of a clear, flexible ring that is placed in the vagina. each ring is about 2 inches in diameter, or across the ring, from one side to the other. during the study, participants will receive either the vr101 active ring or a ring that looks exactly like the vr101 ring but is inactive. for the purposes of this document, both vr101 active ring and the inactive ring will be referred to as the study ring, or study device. because this is a research study, study rings will be given to participants only during this study and must only be used according to the schedule that will be described by study staff. participants will not be allowed to use them once the study is complete. the results will be reported in a submission to the fda to determine if the vr101 study device can be legally marketed in the united states. procedures before any study-related tests and procedures are performed all subjects will read, sign, and date the consent document. information will be collected after the consent document is signed and dated to determine eligibility to enroll in the study. this information includes demographic background, health, medical and social history, birth control method, prescribed medications, herbal or over the-counter drugs, use nonprescription drugs and alcohol. women who are able to become pregnant will provide a urine sample for a pregnancy test. potentially eligible subjects will complete the female sexual function index (fsfi) to assess sexual function in women who are sexually active. if all inclusion and exclusion criteria are satisfied, subjects will be enrolled and randomly assigned to the vr101 active ring or inactive ring treatment arm of the study. about 160 female subjects will participate in this study. upon meeting all inclusion/exclusion criteria, subjects will be randomized (1:1) to one of the two treatment arms and given a 4 week supply of the randomly assigned study devices. they will be instructed on how to use the ring and how to replace the ring weekly. during the 4-week treatment period, subjects will receive weekly phone calls to ensure compliance and collect information about sexual activity, ring replacement, and experience with the device. at the end of four weeks, each subject will return to the study site to complete the final study measures. they will return all unused study devices and undergo a urine sample pregnancy test if appropriate. they will complete the (fsfi) to assess the effects of the study device on sexual function after 4 weeks, and any changes to medications and health will be documented. at that time all subjects will be given the option of receiving an additional 2 weeks of the active vr101 study device.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: clinical investigation participants must: 1. completely understand and sign the informed consent form (ability to read and understand the consent form in the english language). 2. be at least 21 years of age. 3. express a willingness to comply with the entire study visit schedule outlined in the protocol. 4. over the course of the study: 1. abstain from the use of any vaginal moisturizers or lubricants or any other topically applied vaginal products not provided by study staff during the entirety of study participation 2. abstain from using lubricated or spermicide-containing male or female condoms 3. abstain from vaginal intercourse with a male partner using a lubricated condom 4. abstain from any oral sex during or prior to vaginal intercourse with a male partner. 5. must not initiate, modify or discontinue a regimen of hrt (hormone replacement therapy) or estrogen-containing birth control. note: women who have been using non-vaginal hrt or estrogen-containing birth control (e.g., oral, transdermal) on a regular dosing interval continuously for at least 3 months may continue on the same regimen during the study 6. abstain from the use of any other vaginally-placed devices (e.g. ring, diaphragm, cervical cap, pessary products) 7. if able to get pregnant, use an approved method of contraception (per the remainder of i/e criteria) to reduce their risk of becoming pregnant during the study. 5. in the previous 3 months, have had or attempted sexual intercourse with a male partner a minimum of twice per month (on average). 6. respond to all 4 individual fsfi lubrication questions (7 - 10) with a score of 1, 2, or 3. 7. attempt sexual intercourse at least 4 times during the 4-week double-blind study. exclusion criteria for participant selection participants self-reporting any of the following will be ineligible for study entry: 1. current use of hrt (hormone replacement therapy) or any estrogen-containing birth control products, unless not applied vaginally and the participant has been on a regular dosing interval for at least 3 months prior and is willing to continue the same regimen without modification throughout study participation. 2. vulvar or vaginal procedures (biopsies, radiation) in the last 3 months. 3. active vulvar or vaginal infections/lesions or complaints, as well as undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding. 4. history of chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, vulvar vestibulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease within the past 3 months. 5. known current cervical or vaginal infection. 6. participants who have given birth or terminated pregnancy in the past 6 weeks. 7. postpartum or post-abortion endometritis, unless symptoms resolved at least 3 months prior to study entry. 8. current persistent, abnormal vaginal bleeding. 9. history of the inability to place a vaginal ring. 10. history of any abnormality of the vagina resulting in distortion of the vaginal canal or incompatibility with vaginal ring placement. 11. body habitus or history of lower genital tract abnormalities or prior surgeries, which may not allow the vagina to be appropriately accessed. 12. known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to polyurethanes or glycerol. 13. known current alcohol or illicit drug abuse. 14. participants who have not recovered from adverse events due to chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer. 15. uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection of the urogenital tract, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements. 16. any condition that in the opinion of the investigator or study staff that would constitute contraindications to participation in the study or would compromise the ability to comply with the study protocol. 17. current use of a vaginally-placed device (e.g., ring, pessary, cervical cap or diaphragm) unless willingness to discontinue for the study duration is expressed. 18. pregnancy or plans to become pregnant in the next 6 months. 19. current breastfeeding. 20. participation in a previous viropan or j3 bioscience clinical trial for vr101 (i.e., ci01, ci02) note: iud (intrauterine device) users may be enrolled provided they commit to exercising caution when removing vr101, as iud strings have been noted to interfere with vr101 removal. note: participants who have previously undergone anterior and/or posterior vaginal repair and have received a vaginal mesh implant may have difficulty placing vr101 but are not automatically excluded from the study.