Dare Bioscience Receives $2 Million NIH Funding
Dare Bioscience announced receipt of a revised Notice of Award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, a division of the National Institutes of Health, relating to the approximately $2.0 million funding award for DARE-PTB1, Dare's investigational intravaginal ring for the prevention of preterm birth. The notice, issued March 11, 2026, extends the budget and project period for the second tranche of the award, or approximately $1.0 million, through November 30, 2026. The total NIH funding obligated under the program is approximately $2.0 million. DARE-PTB1 is a novel, investigational IVR designed to deliver bio-identical progesterone continuously for up to a 14-day period. It is being developed to reduce the risk of preterm birth in at-risk women, a condition for which there are currently no FDA-approved treatments.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on DARE
About DARE
About the author

- FDA Clearance Milestone: Daré Bioscience's DARE-HPV has received IND approval from the FDA, allowing the company to initiate a planned Phase 2 clinical study aimed at evaluating the drug as a potential treatment for persistent high-risk HPV infection, addressing a significant gap in women's health treatment options.
- Innovative Treatment Approach: DARE-HPV is a non-surgical, localized self-administered therapy designed to target the HPV virus directly, potentially transforming the current monitoring-focused treatment paradigm and alleviating the economic and psychological burdens on women during the waiting period for the virus to clear.
- Funding Support and Market Need: The program is backed by a $10 million contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), with $6.5 million received to date, highlighting the emphasis on and investment potential in women's health.
- Clinical Study Outlook: The planned Phase 2 study will assess the safety and antiviral activity of DARE-HPV, and if successful, it will provide women with new treatment options, significantly changing the management of high-risk HPV infections and carrying important social and economic implications.

- FDA Orphan Drug Designation: Atossa Therapeutics (ATOS) announced that its (Z)-endoxifen received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, leading to a 12.98% stock increase to $0.69, marking a significant milestone in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and expected to drive future R&D progress.
- Clinical Trial Progress: ImmunityBio (IBRX) reported that over 85% of the study population has been enrolled in its registrational trial QUILT-2.005 for BCG-naïve non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with stock rising 9.43% to $6.04, and full enrollment anticipated by Q2 2026, enhancing market confidence.
- NASDAQ Compliance Extension: Femasys (FEMY) received NASDAQ approval for a 180-day extension to meet the minimum $1.00 bid price requirement, with stock climbing 10.68% to $0.72, providing the company until July 13, 2026, to regain compliance, alleviating investor concerns.
- Successful Financing: Foghorn Therapeutics (FHTX) closed a $50 million registered direct financing at a 30% premium, resulting in a 4.02% stock increase to $6.26, demonstrating market confidence and support for its future development.

- Breakthrough in Women's Health: Daré Bioscience's DARE to PLAY™ Sildenafil Cream is the first topical arousal product specifically designed for women, clinically shown to significantly increase genital blood flow within 10-15 minutes, addressing a long-standing gap in women's sexual health.
- Market Opportunity: With approximately 20 million women in the U.S. facing genital arousal challenges and no FDA-approved therapeutics available, the launch of DARE to PLAY™ provides a scientifically-backed solution for this large, underserved market, presenting significant commercial potential.
- Clinical Validation: The product has undergone multiple clinical trials, including a randomized placebo-controlled study involving 200 women and their partners, ensuring its safety and efficacy, marking a significant advancement in the field of women's sexual health.
- Manufacturing Compliance: DARE to PLAY™ is produced through a 503B outsourcing facility, adhering to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations, ensuring product quality and consistency, thus providing women with a reliable health option.

- Breakthrough in Women's Health: Daré Bioscience's DARE to PLAY™ Sildenafil Cream is the first topical product specifically designed for women, clinically shown to increase genital blood flow within 10-15 minutes, addressing a long-standing gap in women's sexual health.
- Market Opportunity: With approximately 20 million women in the U.S. experiencing genital arousal issues and no FDA-approved therapeutics available, the launch of DARE to PLAY™ provides a clinically evidence-backed solution for this large, underserved market, presenting significant commercial potential.
- Clinical Support: The product is backed by multiple clinical trials, including a randomized placebo-controlled study involving 200 women and their partners, ensuring its safety and efficacy, marking a scientific advancement in women's sexual health products.
- Manufacturing Compliance: DARE to PLAY™ is produced through a 503B outsourcing facility compliant with cGMP standards, ensuring product quality and consistency while providing women with a safe and effective option to take charge of their sexual health.
- Consolidation of Rights: Daré Bioscience announced the return of commercialization rights for Ovaprene®, enhancing the company's strategic position in women's health, effective February 2026, marking full control over this critical asset.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The Phase 3 clinical trial for Ovaprene is underway, supported by non-dilutive funding, with positive interim data indicating favorable safety and tolerability, positioning it to potentially become the first FDA-approved hormone-free monthly intravaginal contraceptive.
- Market Potential: As an innovative non-hormonal contraceptive option, Ovaprene addresses a significant gap in women's health, expected to attract broad strategic interest from pharmaceutical and consumer health organizations, further driving company growth.
- Increased Strategic Flexibility: By consolidating global commercialization rights, Daré can explore the most attractive commercial and access pathways, including partnerships and non-traditional commercialization models, maximizing long-term economic benefits.






