Tuesday June 16, 7:29 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Vivus' MUSE, Alprostadil, Achieves 60% Efficacy in Diabetic Men
Data Presented At the ADA Meeting in Chicago
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--June 16, 1998--VIVUS, Inc.
(NASDAQ:VVUS - news) today announced the results of an independent study
in which MUSE(R) (alprostadil) achieved a 60% efficacy rate in diabetic
men with erectile dysfunction. The abstract was presented at the
American Diabetes Association annual meeting in Chicago which concluded
today.
The 230 person study included 65 diabetic and 165 non-diabetic men with
erectile dysfunction who received MUSE for up to six months. Prior to
MUSE dosing, patients had a 30-45 minute counseling session that
included a video on the proper administration of MUSE. The treatment was
deemed successful when patients completed sexual intercourse on two or
more occasions. The researchers reported that 60% of the diabetic
patients had ''success'' compared to 54% of non-diabetic patients. It is
estimated that half of the approximately four million men with diabetes
mellitus in the United States will experience erectile dysfunction.
''MUSE is a good treatment option for men with diabetes and/or vascular
disease especially because it has few systemic side effects,'' said
Kenneth Snow, MD, Medical Director of the Joslin-Lahey Diabetes &
Endocrinology Center in Peabody, MA and a lead investigator in this
trial. The authors also concluded that MUSE appears to be more effective
in men over the age of 50 and perhaps more effective in men with organic
risk factors, as opposed to psychological factors. Approximately 80% of
all cases of erectile dysfunction are believed to have a physiological
origin. The investigators also noted that patient education is critical
to the success of the treatment.
''This is an important new trial that confirms the efficacy of MUSE in
treating erectile dysfunction during actual clinical practice,'' stated
Leland Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer. ''The rate of
effectiveness reported here equals or surpasses what we have seen in
previous studies. In addition, the trial demonstrates that education is
key to the successful use of MUSE.''
Founded in 1991, VIVUS, Inc. is a leader in the development of advanced
therapeutic systems for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, commonly
referred to as impotence. VIVUS has pioneered a novel therapy for
erectile dysfunction known as MUSE Note to editors: MUSE is a registered
trademark of VIVUS, Inc. Additional written materials, recent releases
and Company information are available through a variety of sources,
including: the VIVUS home page (www.vivus.com) and the VIVUS
Fax-On-Demand Service (1-888-329-5719).
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Contact:
VIVUS
Nina W. Ferrari, 650/934-5200 |
