Mountain View, CA -- March 17, 2000 -- VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today
announced that the US Patent & Trademark Office has awarded the Company
Patent No. 6,037,360, entitled, "Administration of 5-HT.sub.3 receptor
antagonists to treat premature ejaculation."
This patent provides VIVUS with broad patent protection for oral administration
of serotonin antagonists, specifically 5-HT3 antagonists, to treat premature
ejaculation (PE) in men. The patent also covers treating PE by administering a
5-HT3 antagonist topically, transdermally or transurethrally.
"Premature ejaculation is considered to be one of the most common male sexual
disorders, for which there currently is no approved medical treatment," stated
Leland F. Wilson, president and CEO of VIVUS, Inc.
Mr. Wilson added that VIVUS is conducting a proof-of-concept, Phase II clinical
study for the evaluation of oral compounds for the treatment of PE. "Receipt of the
5-HT3 antagonists patent provides the Company with protection for the
development of this class of compounds," added Mr. Wilson.
VIVUS, Inc. is a leader in the development and commercialization of innovative
therapies for the treatment of sexual dysfunction and urologic disorders in men and
women. The Company developed and manufactures the drug MUSE®
(alprostadil) and the medical device ACTIS®, two innovations in the treatment of
erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. In December 1999, the Company
filed a New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration for
ALIBRA®, its second-generation drug for the treatment of ED. VIVUS also has
ongoing research and development programs in female sexual dysfunction, erectile
dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties regarding VIVUS Inc.'s operations and future results. Please see the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without
limitation, the Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs, which identify specific
factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements.
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