| Name: |
Viagra |
| Generic name: |
Sildenafil citrate |
| Manufacturer: |
Pfizer, New York |
| Type: |
pill |
| Status: |
Available in 90 countries, Viagra generates about $1 billion in annual sales. About 8
million patients worldwide have used the drug. |
| How it works: |
Restricts a naturally occurring enzyme that inhibits dilation of blood vessels. |
| PR agencies: |
Ruder Finn, Chandler Chicco |
| Name: |
Uprima |
| Generic name: |
Apomorphine HCl |
| Manufacturer: |
TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Lake Forest, IL |
| Type: |
sublingual tablets (dissolve under the tongue) |
| Status: |
Recommended for approval by an FDA subcommittee in April 2000.
The FDA has until July 1 to approve or reject Uprima for sale to the public. |
| How it works: |
Stimulates the brain chemical dopamine, which heightens sexual interest and sensations
and, says a urologist, 'sets off the first in a cascade of events that leads to erections.' |
| PR agency: |
BSMG |
| Name: |
Topiglan |
| Generic name: |
Alprostadil with Sepa |
| Manufacturer: |
MacroChem, Lexington, MA |
| Type: |
topical (applied directly to skin) |
| Status: |
In testing; not yet FDA-approved. |
| How it works: |
Alprostadil, a vasodilator, opens arteries. MacroChem's patented Sepa is designed to
help the medication penetrate the skin. |
| PR agency: |
Search is under way. |
| Name: |
Vasomax |
| Generic name: |
Phentolamine mesylate |
| Manufacturer: |
Schering-Plough, Madison, NJ, licensed Vasomax from Texas developer Zonagen for $20
million, according to Zonagen. |
| Type: |
pill |
| Status: |
FDA review on partial clinical hold pending resolution of FDA's request that Vasomax
undergo another two-year trial with lab rats, testing that Zonagen and Schering-Plough say
is unnecessary. |
| How it works: |
Blocks muscle proteins called alpha receptors, permitting greater blood flow. Like
Viagra, Vasomax would require physical stimulation in order to work. |
| PR agency: |
N/A (company won't comment) |
| Name: |
Muse |
| Generic name: |
Alprostadil |
| Manufacturer: |
Vivus, Mountain View, CA |
| Type: |
transurethral delivery |
| Status: |
Available in 48 countries. Annual US sales of about $25 million. |
| How it works: |
A vasodilator, it relaxes arteries to permit greater blood flow. |
| PR agency: |
None for product PR. |
| Name: |
Alibra |
| Generic name: |
Alprostadil and prasozin |
| Manufacturer: |
Vivus, Mountain View, CA |
| Type: |
Transurethral delivery |
| Status: |
Under review by the FDA and its European counterpart. Vivus expects the drug to be
available in the US by next spring and in Europe some time in 2001. |
| How it works: |
The same as Muse but longer lasting and with built-in pain reliever for men sensitive
to alprostadil. |
| PR agency: |
None for product PR. |
| Name: |
IC351 (Cialis) |
| Generic name: |
None |
| Manufacturer: |
Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis (co-developed with Icos, of Bothel, WA) |
| Type: |
tablet |
| Status: |
In testing with human patients. A Lilly spokesperson says the company will file to
seek FDA approval in 2001. |
| How it works: |
Like Viagra, inhibits an enzyme that restricts blood vessel dilation. |
| PR agency: |
N/A (companies won't comment). |
(c) Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Limited 2000
No part of this data may be reproduced without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Source: PR WEEK US VERSION 26/06/2000 P23
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