Condom maker HLL Lifecare has secured a research grant of $150,000 USD (Rs.6.43 crore) from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for its phase II graphene condom project. The grant follows an earlier research grant for the proof-of-concept project to produce graphene condoms, also funded by BMGF, and is intended for "pilot scale production and clinical trials of graphene incorporated natural rubber latex (GNRL) condoms". HLL hopes to start marketing graphene condoms globally by the end of the phase II.
The research team has reported the successful completion of the first phase of the study, which involved producing the prototype of graphene-natural rubber latex nanocomposites-based condoms that allow for high heat transfer and improved sensitivity. The team explains that this second stage investment will be used for scaling up production of the graphene-enhanced natural rubber latex condom. The fund will also be utilized for quality checking, stability and clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy and more.