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Biotech / Medical : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: RT who wrote (3282)	12/10/1997 3:37:00 PM
From: g.w. barnard	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 23519

rt, we can't get a break today, this company now says a 24% decline in sales, also suggests all is not right. gw NEW YORK, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Asensio & Company today issued the following: A study of 123 impotent men treated with Vivus' Muse product at the Centre for Impotence and Fertility in Rome, Italy found that Muse failed to make 121 of the penises rigid. This test's endpoint was very different than Vivus' 1996 study, which used an "Erection Assessment Scale." The Italian study actually measured the rigidity of each penis and concluded that the penises were not hard. In letters dated October 10, 1997 and October 17, 1997 Asensio & Company, Inc. advised Vivus, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) that it had reviewed certain of IMS America's Pharmaceutical Industry Research Data pertaining to the sales of Vivus' Muse product. In particular, Asensio & Company reviewed IMS' National Prescription Audit ("NPA") data for new and refill Muse prescriptions for the six (6) months period ended September 30, 1997 and compared Vivus' reported sales for the same period to the IMS prescription data. As a result, Asensio & Company found that a very significant portion of Vivus' Muse product sales were allegedly sold through outlets not monitored by IMS' NPA service. NPA is the recognized industry leader providing a complete and precise view of the prescription marketplace. Asensio & Company requested a description of Vivus customers not tracked by IMS' NPA audit or other information that could explain the discrepancy. Vivus failed to provide any of the requested information. Asensio & Company believes Vivus' 25% sales drop is a result of poor product performance and early nonrecurring sales to undisclosed sources. Investors interest in Pfizer, Inc's (NYSE:PFE) Viagra impotency drug has fueled speculation in the shares of Zonagen, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZONA). Zonagen claims its phentolamine pill induces erections. Asensio & Company has investigated Zonagen's product claims. Phentolamine is a 45-year-old generic vasodilator drug whose side effects do not include erections. Zonagen's pill has no other active ingredient. Zonagen has no patents on phentolamine and has not filed an NDA with the FDA. Asensio & Company's Zonagen report is available on its Internet home page located at asensio.com. SOURCE Asensio & Company, Inc. -0- 12/10/97 /CONTACT: Manuel Asensio of Asnesio & Company, 212-702-8800/