Ignite Next Gen Contraception

Frequently Asked Questions:

• But what if I want equity?
  • If you are interested in contributing $500, or more, reach out to Mehek at [email protected] and we can set up a SAFE. 
• How does this drug work?
  • It selectively inhibits uterine estrogen receptors, delaying endometrial development to achieve contraceptive efficacy by taking the egg and endometrial development out of sync - without affecting ovulation, the HPA-axis, FSH or LH. Zaya does this without containing synthetic hormones, or coming with the risks/contraindications common to traditional hormonal options. You can read more about the mechanism of action in our linktr.ee.
• How long will it take you to get to market?
  • We're currently raising money to complete the lead optimization phase, narrowing down our 5 lead molecules to 1 as we improve on ormeloxifene in a clinically relevant way. We'll complete IND-enabling (preclinical) studies in 2026, and then continue through clinical trials Phases 1-3, aiming to be FDA/EMA approved by 2030. 
• Why hasn't this been done before?
  • Ormeloxifene was developed by the Indian government research institution CDRI, approved in India in 1990. It's been a long and winding road since then (which you can watch Mehek break down here), but the current barrier to it being approved outside of India is that its prior studies do not meet FDA/EMA rigor, and as an off-patent drug, industry incumbents lack incentive to pursue redevelopment. Manglovo Health is taking a fresh approach, creating an improved, proprietary molecule & formulation to bring through FDA/EMA pathways and into the hands of the millions of users who could benefit from it. Zaya is positioned to be a long-awaited breakthrough in contraceptive innovation, offering a first-in-class non-hormonal oral option for the U.S. & international markets.
• Who are the founders?
  • We are two resourceful entrepreneurs deeply committed to transforming contraceptive care through innovation and equity. Our unique combination of lived experiences, advocacy, and scientific inquiry positions us to understand and serve our customer segment with unparalleled authenticity and dedication. Recognizing the complexities of developing and introducing a novel contraceptive, we have built a powerhouse team whose collective expertise provides the clinical and strategic rigor needed to execute our vision.
  • Mehek Bapna, Founder & CEO: Mehek graduated with honors from NYU in 2023, earning a Bachelor of Science in Neural Science with double minors in Public Health and Chemistry. She was awarded the NYU Social Impact Changemaker Fellowship during her undergraduate studies and the prestigious NIH T37 Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Fellowship after graduation. With a robust clinical research background in women’s and adolescent health and extensive congressional advocacy experience for women’s health equity, Mehek is dedicated to leveraging her research and policy expertise to create innovative solutions that enable the next  generations to be happier and healthier lives for the next generation.
  • Emi Gaçaj, Co-Founder & COO: Emi is a reproductive health researcher, grassroots organizer, and community advocate committed to reimagining contraceptive care with accessibility and autonomy at the forefront. She is the founder of The Body Org, a national youth-led organization advancing sexual wellness and education, and has spent years engaging in direct peer education and health advocacy. At 17, she founded The Birth Butterfly Collective, a peer-led reproductive support network, and became a full-spectrum birth doula, supporting individuals across reproductive experiences. A sophomore at Columbia University, Emi studies Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species, and brings research experience in cancer metastasis, microfluidic devices, and cardiac remodeling to her work in contraceptive innovation. Merging her academic background with a passion for health equity, she serves on multiple advisory boards, including the Muslim Youth Leadership Council, Educate Us Youth Advisory Board, and the Annex Teen Clinic Board, and is proud to drive forward innovative, accessible solutions that prioritize bodily autonomy.