About Us
About Us
The Parsemus Foundation is a private nonprofit operating foundation working to create meaningful improvements in human and animal health and welfare by advancing innovative and neglected medical research. Our aim is to educate medical professionals and the public about the latest developments in health and medicine.
- Our tax ID number is 20-3968895.
- Our professional profile can be found on ProPublica.
- Our 501(c)3 certification can be found here.
History
The Parsemus Foundation is a private operating foundation based in San Francisco, CA. It is the brainchild of Elaine Lissner, an early advocate for male contraception and evidence-based medicine, among other passions. She first formed the advocacy organization Male Contraception Information Project in the early 1990s, which served as a clearinghouse on information about new male contraceptives. In 2005, Ms. Lissner founded the Parsemus Foundation to support research on male contraceptives and other areas of human and animal health. Read more about her background here.
From nonsurgical dog and cat sterilization to breast cancer and male contraception, the Parsemus Foundation has been a voice for neglected options not likely to gain the attention of pharmaceuticals. The foundation has debunked medical myths, developed new low-cost healthcare options for humans and animals, and publicized the results to physicians, veterinarians and the public. The foundation’s work has been featured in numerous online and print outlets including WIRED, BBC News, Scientific American, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
Elaine was joined by Linda Brent, PhD, who serves as Executive Director and Abraxas Adams, Director of Operations. Scientists, colleagues, and collaborators from across the globe work with the Parsemus Foundation to implement research projects and proof of concept studies.
Project Areas
The Parsemus Foundation works on a diverse set of topics on human and animal health. Historically, the foundation’s focus has been on reproductive health including the development of Vasalgel, a non-hormonal male contraceptive that has been passed to NEXT Life Sciences for further development. Other important focus areas are non-surgical and hormone-sparing pet sterilization, non-invasive treatment for benign prostatic dysplasia for men and dogs, repurposed medications for treating COVID-19, hormones for menopause, and preventing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Applications for support are by invitation only.
