Vivus, Inc.: VVUS (NASDAQ)
VIVUS Announces 26.5% Increase in U.S. Sales of MUSE for the 3 Months Ending February 2002
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--March 14, 2002--VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq:VVUS),a pharmaceutical company developing innovative products to improve quality of life, today announced that U.S. net sales of MUSE(R)
(alprostadil), for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED),increased 26.5% for the 3-month period of December 2001 through February 2002. Net unit sales were the highest of any 3-month period since mid-1998 following the market availability of sildenafil,manufactured by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE). Net unit sales year-to-date at the end of February 2002 were 31.4% higher than the same period in
2001.
"MUSE is being rediscovered by physicians as an effective therapy for many patients that fail oral PDE5 inhibitor therapy," said Guy Marsh, Head of U.S. Sales at VIVUS. "MUSE is also gaining acceptance as first line therapy in patients with severe ED, such as radical
prostatectomy patients. To capitalize on this growing market position,VIVUS has initiated targeted marketing programs to promote the benefits of MUSE, both in patients that fail oral therapy and as first line therapy for severe ED patients."
"MUSE continues to fill a significant need in the erectile dysfunction market," stated Leland F. Wilson, President and CEO of VIVUS. "We have known for some time that oral PDE5 inhibitor therapy fails to meet the needs of a large number of patients and that MUSE is able to treat many of these patients." In a prospective study of 221
patients who failed sildenafil, reported by Dr. Wayne Hellstrom at Tulane University in 1999, 57% achieved erections sufficient for sexual intercourse after MUSE administration.
"MUSE sales add to the Company's already strong financial position and further support our development programs," added Mr. Wilson. "Our products in development include ALISTA(TM), a proprietary topical formulation of alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) for the treatment of
Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD); TA-1790, a fast acting, highly selective, potent, oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED); and VI-0134 for premature ejaculation (PE)."
VIVUS, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative therapies for the treatment of quality-of-life disorders in men and women, with a focus on sexual dysfunction. Current development programs target Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Premature Ejaculation (PE). The Company developed
and markets in the U.S. MUSE(R) (alprostadil) and ACTIS(R), two innovations in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and has partnered with Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) for the internationalmarketing and distribution of its male transurethral ED products. In Canada, VIVUS has partnered exclusively with Paladin Labs (TSE:PLB) to market and distribute MUSE.
CONTACT: VIVUS, Inc.
Richard Walliser, 650/934-5200
ir@vivus.com
www.vivus.com
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
Bruce Voss, 310/691-7100 (Investors)
bvoss@lhai.com
Jody Cain, 310/691-7100 (Investors)
jcain@lhai.com
Elissa Grabowski, 212/838-3777 (Media)
egrabowski@lhai.com
www.lhai.com |
