Parsemus Foundation


The Parsemus Foundation is an American non-governmental organization whose stated objective is to advance low-cost evidence-based medicines not pursued by the pharmaceutical industry. The foundation’s focus is on supporting small proof-of-concept studies and then pursuing press coverage of the results, so that the advances change treatment practice rather than disappearing into the scientific literature. Many of the studies supported involve low-cost approaches that are not under patent.

Background

Founded in 2005, Parsemus is an advocate of research into the plausibility of RISUG, a reversible male contraceptive. The foundation began procuring RISUG's United States intellectual property rights in November 2010, completed the acquisition process in February 2012, and is for the past 96 months conducting toxicology tests as an initial step towards Food and Drug Administration approval. Vasgel production has continually been delayed with targets missed from 2015, 2017 and 2018 based on Parsemus foundations own targets.
Animal trials have thus far proved effective with no negative side effects; human trials were being planned for 2015-2016 with missed market release in 2017 as of 2019.
The organization also offers resources on alternative methods of fertility control for dogs and cats. Its focus has been on ovary-sparing spay for female dogs and cats, vasectomy for male dogs and cats, and non-surgical sterilization using calcium chloride-based formulations for male dogs and cats.
The foundation was also noted for its support of the Archives of Internal Medicine's less-is-more series.