Concept Foundation

Concept Foundation is a nonprofit foundation established in Bangkok in 1989 to help transfer, license, and support the production of reproductive-health technologies for use in developing countries. Its creation was associated with the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, commonly known as WHO’s Human Reproduction Programme, together with PATH and the World Bank. The foundation was formed around a practical public-health problem: technologies developed through international reproductive-health research often needed a dedicated mechanism for licensing and manufacturing outside the commercial markets traditionally served by multinational pharmaceutical companies. Its initial mandate centered on the rights associated with Cyclofem, a once-monthly combined injectable contraceptive. The product contains medroxyprogesterone acetate and estradiol cypionate and was developed for use as a monthly contraceptive option. Concept Foundation’s role was not simply to market a consumer brand. Rather, it helped make the technology available to potential producers in developing countries, supporting a model in which reproductive-health products could be manufactured closer to the populations that needed them and distributed through public-health and family-planning systems. Cyclofem became the foundation’s most widely cited technology. According to reference material associated with the organization, more than 120 million doses were manufactured and sold worldwide after its introduction, with production taking place in eight countries and availability extending to more than 30 developing countries. The product has also been known under other names, including Lunelle and the development code Cyclo-Provera. These figures illustrate the foundation’s emphasis on technology access, local or regional manufacturing capability, and broader availability rather than on building a conventional proprietary consumer brand. Concept Foundation subsequently became associated with Medabon, a medical-abortion regimen combining mifepristone and misoprostol. Both medicines had already been recognized by health organizations as safe and effective when used appropriately. Implementation and initial research for the regimen involved PATH and Ipas. Medabon reflects the foundation’s broader approach: combining established reproductive-health medicines into a practical product presentation and supporting its introduction in settings where access to safe medical abortion may depend on regulatory approval, reliable supply, trained providers, and affordable distribution. The foundation therefore occupies an unusual position in the health sector. It is neither a conventional pharmaceutical manufacturer nor a retail-facing healthcare brand. Its work is better understood as technology stewardship and access facilitation in reproductive health. Activities associated with its model include managing or facilitating intellectual-property rights, identifying potential producers, supporting product development and registration, and helping proven technologies reach public-sector and resource-constrained markets. Publicly available reference material provides limited detail about its current organizational structure, leadership, finances, and ongoing product portfolio. Its documented historical significance rests primarily on the international dissemination of Cyclofem and the development and access-oriented implementation of Medabon.

Concept Foundation was established in Bangkok in 1989 through a collaboration involving the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, PATH, and the World Bank. The organization was created as a mechanism for handling and licensing rights connected with Cyclofem, a monthly combined injectable contraceptive. Its founding responded to the need for an institution that could move reproductive-health innovations from international research programs into practical production and distribution arrangements in developing countries. Cyclofem contains 25 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate and 5 mg of estradiol cypionate. The former is also the active contraceptive ingredient associated with Depo-Provera, while the latter is an estrogen ester. Unlike a conventional pharmaceutical brand developed primarily for high-income commercial markets, Cyclofem was linked to a public-health access model. Concept Foundation worked to make the technology available to potential producers, allowing manufacturing and supply arrangements to be established in countries where family-planning services and reproductive-health programs needed additional contraceptive choices. Over time, Cyclofem was manufactured in eight countries and made available in more than 30 developing countries. Reference material states that more than 120 million doses were manufactured and sold worldwide. The product has been identified by several names, including Cyclofem, Lunelle, and the development code Cyclo-Provera. Its distribution history is the clearest illustration of Concept Foundation’s role in translating reproductive-health research into products available through national and international health systems. The foundation later developed or supported Medabon, a medical-abortion product combining mifepristone and misoprostol. The two medicines were already regarded by health organizations as safe and effective abortifacients when used according to appropriate medical guidance. PATH and Ipas were involved in the implementation and initial research of the Medabon regimen. By bringing the medicines together in a coordinated regimen, the product addressed practical issues surrounding medical-abortion provision, including procurement, packaging, treatment protocols, and access in countries where regulatory and health-system conditions permitted its use. Concept Foundation’s documented work places it at the intersection of public health, pharmaceutical technology transfer, reproductive rights, and nonprofit licensing. Its importance lies less in consumer advertising or retail identity than in the infrastructure required to make reproductive-health products available: rights management, partnerships with manufacturers, product support, and collaboration with public-health organizations. Publicly available material cited for this dossier does not establish a complete account of later organizational changes, current officers, financial performance, or the full present-day portfolio. The foundation is nevertheless documented as a Thailand-based nonprofit organization whose principal historical contributions include the international dissemination of Cyclofem and the development and access-oriented implementation of Medabon.

• 1989

  Concept Foundation established in Bangkok

  [1]Concept Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation was created through an international reproductive-health partnership involving the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, PATH, and the World Bank.

• 1989

  Cyclofem licensing mechanism created

  [1]Concept Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Concept Foundation was established to manage or facilitate rights associated with Cyclofem and to license the injectable contraceptive to potential producers in developing countries.

• Cyclofem reaches international production and distribution

  [1]Concept Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Cyclofem was manufactured in eight countries and made available in more than 30 developing countries; reference material reports more than 120 million doses manufactured and sold worldwide.

• Medabon developed as a medical-abortion regimen

  [1]Concept Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Concept Foundation became associated with Medabon, a regimen combining mifepristone and misoprostol, with implementation and initial research involving PATH and Ipas.

A nonprofit reproductive-health technology access organization focused on licensing, product development, manufacturing partnerships, and availability in developing countries.

• Monthly combined injectable contraceptive

  Cyclofem

  Cyclofem is a once-monthly combined injectable contraceptive containing 25 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate and 5 mg of estradiol cypionate. Concept Foundation was established in part to provide a mechanism for licensing the technology to producers in developing countries. The product has also been associated with the names Lunelle and Cyclo-Provera. Reference material reports manufacturing in eight countries, availability in more than 30 developing countries, and more than 120 million doses manufactured and sold worldwide.

• Medical-abortion regimen

  Medabon

  Medabon combines mifepristone and misoprostol for medical abortion. The regimen uses two medicines that health organizations had already recognized as safe and effective when used appropriately. Implementation and initial research involved PATH and Ipas. Concept Foundation’s role reflects its broader focus on making reproductive-health technologies practical and accessible through product development, licensing, and health-system partnerships.

1. 1Concept Foundationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Concept Foundation official websiteconceptfoundation.org