FDA approval for Bayer's contraceptive Kyleena

German pharma major Bayer (BAYN: DE) has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Kyleena, a progestin-containing intrauterine system (IUS), to prevent pregnancy for up to five years.

Kyleena is a small, flexible plastic T-shaped device containing 19.5mg of a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. It is placed by a healthcare provider during an in-office visit and prevents pregnancy for up to five years, but may be removed by a healthcare provider at any time.

Anita Nelson, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the USA’s Western University of Health Sciences, said: “Data show that the use of effective, long-acting birth control methods including intrauterine devices (IUDs) have helped to reduce unintended pregnancies in the USA, but we still have a long way to go.