Serine Protease Inhibitor
4-(2-Aminoethyl)Benzenesulfonyl Fluoride (AEBSF), KLK3 Inhibitors
- User: Female
- Hormonal: Non-Hormonal
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Delivery type:
- Not Yet Determined
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Intended Duration:
- Not Yet Determined
- Development Stage: Pre-Clinical
- Developer(s)/researcher(s): Washington State University
Details
- API: 4-(2-Aminoethyl)Benzenesulfonyl Fluoride
- Target: Kallikreins
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Mechanism of Action:
- Inhibition of Sperm Motility
- Inactive Materials: Not Yet Determined
- Regimen: Not Yet Determined
- MPT: Not Potential MPT
- Promising Attributes: This method would be non-hormonal and may therefore reduce side effects. Developers intend to identify a delivery method that could be user controlled.
Product Status
Active Pre-Clinical Research
History
1997: An in vitro study showed that a small molecule serine protease inhibitor called 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF) suppresses the function of KLK3 , the enzyme primarily responsible for semen liquefication.
2011: 4-(2-Aminoethyl)benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride showed an in vivo inhibitory effect on embryo implantation in rats through research conducted in Shanghai.
2020: Researchers at Washington State University showed that AEBSF reduced sperm motility and fertilization capability in vitro in a dose-dependent manner.
2022: Researchers at Washington State University determine that AEBSF produces reliable degradation of semenogelin, leading to hyperviscous semen and substantially decreased sperm motility. Development of this concept transferred with its lead researcher to the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2023.
As of 2025, the University of Missouri continues to refine their lead KLK3 inhibitor, evaluate its safety and toxicity in animals, and prepare for integration of their lead compound into a delivery system.