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

To: Tokyo VD who wrote (10791)	7/8/1998 4:27:00 PM
From: g.w. barnard	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 23519

to all: her it is: gw MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 8, 1998--VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) today announced a strategic decision to seek a major pharmaceutical partner to promote MUSE(R)(alprostadil) in the U.S. As the first step in the implementation of this new strategy and to immediately reduce expense, the Company has agreed to facilitate the transition of its urology sales representatives to ALZA Corporation. Sales personnel joining ALZA will continue to sell MUSE on a limited basis until Dec. 31, 1998. VIVUS has also terminated its agreement with Innovex, whereby Innovex provided VIVUS with a contract sales force. Internationally, sales of MUSE will continue to be supported by VIVUS' marketing partners, Astra AB and Janssen Pharmatceutica. These sales force changes are part of a comprehensive effort to reduce expenses in order to facilitate a return to profitability. Personnel reductions will also occur in the Company's administration, research and development, clinical and marketing departments. These restructuring measures will be reported as a one time charge of approximately $6.5 million in the second quarter of 1998. "The size and strength of the launch of Viagra has made the primary care physician (PCP) and important component in the treatment of erectile dysfunction," said Leland Wilson, President and CEO of VIVUS. "Due to patient demand generated by the media, many PCPs are actively prescribing erectile dysfunction treatments. VIVUS recognizes that the new erectile dysfunction market dynamics necessitate the infrastructure of a major pharmaceutical company in order to support a sales force large enough to effectively address the needs of the PCP. Toward this goal, VIVUS will seek to partner with a pharmaceutical company with extensive experience and a broad reach into the PCP market in the U.S." VIVUS' management will discuss this announcement as well as its second quarter financial results during its regularly scheduled quarterly conference call on July 9, 1998, after the close of market. A replay of this call will be available until July 16, 1998 by dialing 800/633-8284, reservation number 4497351. 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(R) (alprostadil). This therapy consists of a proprietary, non-invasive drug delivery system that delivers pharmacological agents via the urethra. 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 (888/329-5719). CONTACT: VIVUS Nina W. Ferrari, 650/934-5200 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: businesswire.com Copyright 1998, Business Wire

To: Tokyo VD who wrote (10791)	7/8/1998 4:33:00 PM
From: EyeDrMike	Respond to of 23519

VIVUS Announces New Strategy to Sell MUSE in the U.S.; The Company will Seek a Partner to Promote MUSE in the U.S. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--July 8, 1998--VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) today announced a strategic decision to seek a major pharmaceutical partner to promote MUSE(R)(alprostadil) in the U.S. As the first step in the implementation of this new strategy and to immediately reduce expense, the Company has agreed to facilitate the transition of its urology sales representatives to ALZA Corporation. Sales personnel joining ALZA will continue to sell MUSE on a limited basis until Dec. 31, 1998. VIVUS has also terminated its agreement with Innovex, whereby Innovex provided VIVUS with a contract sales force. Internationally, sales of MUSE will continue to be supported by VIVUS' marketing partners, Astra AB and Janssen Pharmatceutica. These sales force changes are part of a comprehensive effort to reduce expenses in order to facilitate a return to profitability. Personnel reductions will also occur in the Company's administration, research and development, clinical and marketing departments. These restructuring measures will be reported as a one time charge of approximately $6.5 million in the second quarter of 1998. "The size and strength of the launch of Viagra has made the primary care physician (PCP) and important component in the treatment of erectile dysfunction," said Leland Wilson, President and CEO of VIVUS. "Due to patient demand generated by the media, many PCPs are actively prescribing erectile dysfunction treatments. VIVUS recognizes that the new erectile dysfunction market dynamics necessitate the infrastructure of a major pharmaceutical company in order to support a sales force large enough to effectively address the needs of the PCP. Toward this goal, VIVUS will seek to partner with a pharmaceutical company with extensive experience and a broad reach into the PCP market in the U.S." VIVUS' management will discuss this announcement as well as its second quarter financial results during its regularly scheduled quarterly conference call on July 9, 1998, after the close of market. A replay of this call will be available until July 16, 1998 by dialing 800/633-8284, reservation number 4497351. 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(R) (alprostadil). This therapy consists of a proprietary, non-invasive drug delivery system that delivers pharmacological agents via the urethra. 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 (888/329-5719). CONTACT: VIVUS Nina W. Ferrari, 650/934-5200 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA JUL 08,1998 BW0214 JUL 08,1998