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Biotech / Medical : Pharma News Only (pfe,mrk,wla, sgp, ahp, bmy, lly) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (325)	6/16/1998 8:00:00 AM
From: James Baker	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1722

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). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact: VIVUS Nina W. Ferrari, 650/934-5200

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (325)	6/16/1998 11:06:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Respond to of 1722

Eli Lilly's Loses Chinese Court Appeal to Protect Prozac Bloomberg News June 16, 1998, 3:28 a.m. PT Beijing, June 16 (Bloomberg) -- Eli Lilly & Co. has had its appeal for protection in China for protection against copying of its Prozac-brand anti-depressant drug thrown out by a Beijing court, a company spokesman said. Lilly was trying to overturn a decision by China's State Pharmaceutical Administration not to grant protection for the drug. At least two Chinese companies now make generic copies of the drug, costing Lilly millions of dollars in lost sales. The company spokesman Lilly would now appeal to the Supreme Court to have its patent recognized. In May, Lilly company officials said the ruling would limit foreign investment in China's $6 billion-a-year pharmaceutical industry. President Bill Clinton is reported to have raised Lilly's case during talks last October with visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin. Clinton will visit China next week. --Peter Hannam in the Beijing bureau (8610) 6532-4492 through the