Fw: Subject Reference: P & G to Test Patch to Restore Libido

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message ----- From: Martha Murdock & (gigi*) Lawrence

BreastImplantNews

Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 12:57 AM

Subject: Subject Reference: P & G to Test Patch to Restore Libido

============================================================

Communicate like never before with the new wireless Palm i705 handheld. You'll have instant, always-on access to email, IM and web content. Stay connected 24/7!

http://click.topica.com/caaag0Ia2iT7oa3zbeJb/Palm

============================================================

P & G to Test Patch to Restore Libido Sun Feb 10, 2:29 PM ET

MASON, Ohio - Procter & Gamble Co. hopes a female libido patch under development will bring it billions in sales for its prescription drug subsidiary, which made its first profit last year.

P & G Pharmaceuticals says its testosterone patch could restore the sex drive in post-menopausal women.

The Cincinnati company will invest several hundred million dollars developing the patch, called Intrinsa, but it won't be available for several years.

Nearly transparent and the size of an egg, the patch is worn just below the navel and changed about twice weekly.

"I think it's a wonderful idea, but I also think that expectations need to be realistic," said Molly Katz, a gynecologist whose practice will be participating in the trials. "It isn't going to fix everybody," she said. "Unless you have that satisfactory relationship, it's not going to make that much difference."

Large-scale testing of the patch in volunteers starts this month, one of the last stages before U.S. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) approval.

Company researchers are emphasizing that they don't want the patch seen as a "lifestyle" drug like Viagra. They want the product reserved for women with a medically documented loss of libido.

While generally associated with the male sex drive, testosterone also is needed for the female response. Studies have shown that levels of the hormone fall after menopause.

"We'll work very hard to label it appropriately for women who have a sexual dysfunction and see it prescribed only to women who need it," Mark Collar, P & G Pharmaceutical's president told The Cincinnati Enquirer in Sunday's editions.

P & G is known for its domination of the consumer market with such products as Ivory soap, Tide detergent and Crest toothpaste. The company's annual sales are nearly 40 times that of P & G Pharmaceuticals, which had $1 billion in revenue last year.

"They've been investing behind these initiatives for a while now, and it looks like they're very close to bearing some fruit," said Bill Steele, an analyst with Banc of America Securities in San Francisco.

In 1999, the unit, in nearby Mason, introduced Actonel, an osteoporosis drug that generated $275 million in sales in 2001.

Intrinsa is one of about 30 products the unit is developing. Others include Stedicor, an anti-arryhthmia drug, and Pexelizumab, for patients that have coronary bypass surgery.

P & G, which licensed the testosterone patch technology from Pharmaceuticals, faces competition from drug makers testing alternatives such as battery-operated devices, pills, creams and other patches.

____

On the Net:

http://www.pgpharma.com

Email this story - View most popular | Printer-friendly format ============================================================

INSTANT RELIEF with Yoga At Your Desk CD - Slide it in and tension melts away. Engages your mind and body in a 20-

minute routine that helps you cope with the day with

renewed energy. http://click.topica.com/caaag0Ta2iT7oa3zbeJg/YogaAtYourDesk

==============================================================^================================================================

This email was sent to: idagirl@...

EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a2iT7o.a3zbeJ

Or send an email to: BreastImplantNews-unsubscribe@...

T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail!

http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register

==^================================================================