Canadian women’s health innovator joins global pharmaceutical leader to accelerate development of a once-monthly, copper-based, patient-controlled vaginal ring.
NEW MINAS, NS — May 19, 2026 — Elle, MD Biotechnologies, a Canadian biotech developing a next-generation, once-monthly, non-hormonal vaginal ring designed to give women effective, patient-controlled contraception without hormones, procedures or daily intervention, has been selected as one of two companies worldwide for the 2026 Organon Accelerator Program cohort. The program, run by Organon, a global healthcare company with a mission to deliver impactful medicines and solutions for a healthier every day, pairs early-stage innovators with the company’s internal expert network to offer tailored strategic guidance to accelerate breakthroughs across the women’s health ecosystem.
Elle, MD joins Spain’s Oriva Therapeutics in this year’s cohort. The two were selected from a competitive global applicant pool.
“Being chosen by Organon is a meaningful validation of what we’re building,” said Dr. Jennifer Johnston, Founder and CEO of Elle, MD Biotechnologies. “Women deserve more choice in contraception, and we’re designing our device to expand the options available to them. Having Organon’s scientific expertise behind us as we move toward our first-in-human study is a significant accelerant for our mission.”
With a portfolio of over 70 products across Women’s Health and General Medicines, which includes biosimilars, Organon focuses on addressing health needs that uniquely, disproportionately or differently affect women, while expanding access to essential treatments in over 140 markets.
About Elle, MD’s Technology
Elle, MD is developing a next-generation, once-monthly, non-hormonal vaginal ring designed to give women effective, patient-controlled contraception without hormones, procedures or daily intervention. Elle, MD’s intellectual property is fully owned in-house, with a published U.S. patent application (US-20240374508-A1) and a PCT application filed internationally. The company is pursuing a Canadian-first regulatory pathway, with first-in-human studies scheduled for Q3 2026.
About the Organon Accelerator Program
The Organon Accelerator Program supports early-stage companies advancing innovation in women’s health. In announcing this year’s cohort, Organon stated, “Our two participants represent the exciting innovation taking place across the women’s health ecosystem. Expanding contraceptive options for women and advancing treatments in endometriosis, an area with significant unmet need, are deeply aligned with our mission of creating a better and healthier every day for every woman.”
More information about the program is available at accelerateinnovation.organon.com.
About Elle, MD Biotechnologies
Founded by Dr. Jennifer Johnston, Elle, MD Biotechnologies is a Canadian women’s health company developing a once-monthly, non-hormonal vaginal ring for contraception. Learn more at ellemd.ca.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Johnston, Founder, Elle, MD Biotechnologies:
[email protected]