Petros Pharmaceuticals Receives Positive Response from FDA Following Recent Demonstration of Technology Component in Pursuit of OTC Status for STENDRA(R) (avanafil)

Rhea-AI Summary

Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PTPI) receives positive feedback from the FDA for its technology component in pursuit of OTC status for STENDRA (avanafil). The FDA acknowledged the technology's addressing of concerns related to the PDE5 inhibitor class, particularly for nitrate-using patients. The Company's President sees this as a significant step towards achieving OTC status, with ongoing studies and guidance from the FDA shaping future development.

Insights

Pharmaceutical & Regulatory Affairs Expert

Petros Pharmaceuticals' recent interaction with the FDA hints at progress towards making STENDRA an over-the-counter medication. This move, if successful, would be unprecedented in the erectile dysfunction market. Regulatory hurdles are significant in such transitions; however, the FDA's acknowledgment of the technology's potential to address specific concerns is promising. This technology, aimed at ensuring safe self-selection by patients, particularly those using nitrates, could lead to a broader market access for STENDRA. The key factor to observe would be the results of the upcoming Self-Selection and Application Comprehension studies, which will determine the viability of OTC STENDRA and its impact on patient safety. Investors should monitor these developments closely as they could lead to substantial shifts in market dynamics and potentially unlock a new consumer segment for the company.

Healthcare Market Analyst

The push to bring STENDRA to the OTC market reflects a strategic maneuver by Petros Pharmaceuticals to tap into the significant market of erectile dysfunction treatments that currently require prescriptions. This could democratize access to such medications and potentially increase the total addressable market for the company. From an investor's perspective, the success of this initiative could translate into increased sales volumes and revenue growth. However, it is essential to consider the risks associated with such a move, including the potential for increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities, the costs associated with the necessary studies and the uncertainty of consumer adoption in the OTC space. The success of this transition could also pressure competitors to explore similar pathways, potentially leading to a more crowded OTC market.

(Please see important safety information below)

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 16, 2024 / Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Petros," or the "Company") (NASDAQ:PTPI), a company focused on expanding consumer access to medication through over-the- counter (OTC) drug development programs, announces it has received positive feedback from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA," or the "Agency") following the FDA's informal review of Petros' technology component for self-selection as the Company endeavors to achieve OTC status for STENDRA. The Agency acknowledged that the technology addressed some of its concerns regarding the PDE5 inhibitor class in that context, particularly with regard to nitrate-using patients.

Fady Boctor, Petros' President and Chief Commercial Officer, commented, "We view this meeting with the FDA as a significant step in our efforts to move STENDRA to OTC status, a move that would be the first among erectile dysfunction drug manufacturers. We found the FDA's feedback following our recent meeting to be encouraging, and we will incorporate it as we continue to move forward. We are grateful for the input from our internal advisory committee and subject matter experts and are confident that the incorporation of assistive technology has the potential to improve our process, resulting in better outcomes in our studies. We continue to believe OTC STENDRA presents a unique opportunity to treat a significant unmet medical need and look forward to further guidance from the Agency as we continue our development efforts."

During the recent Type C meeting between Petros and the FDA, the Agency also aligned with the Company in terms of its 2H 2024 submission and review of its pivotal two-arm Self-Selection study, which is currently underway. In addition, the Company received guidance from the FDA on its next technology-centered study, the Application Comprehension Study, which will be subsequently announced following additional steps being completed.

About the OTC Pathway

The process of switching a prescription medication to over the counter (OTC) first involves the design of a Drug Facts Label (DFL) that is well understood by potential consumers. Then data must show that consumers can make an appropriate decision to use or not to use the product based only upon the information on the DFL and their personal medical history. Then consumers must demonstrate that they can properly use the product based upon the information on the DFL. To accomplish these things, the FDA ordinarily requires a consumer tested OTC DFL. This testing includes conduct of iterative Label Comprehension Studies (LCS) in the general population, Self-Selection Studies (SSS) in a population interested in using the product and in specific populations who may be harmed if they use the product, and usually one Actual Use Trial (AUT) demonstrating safe and appropriate use by consumers in a simulated OTC setting.

The regulations that FDA is currently finalizing introduced Additional Conditions for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) criteria that enable correct self-selection by consumers and may expand OTC access to medications that formerly could only be available by prescription. An ACNU may be an innovative computerized tool, or the additional conditions may use other approaches that support the switch process.

About Petros Pharmaceuticals

Petros Pharmaceuticals is committed to the goal of becoming a leading innovator in the emerging self-care market driving expanded access to key prescription pharmaceuticals as Over-the-Counter treatment options. Currently, Petros is pursuing increased access for its flagship prescription ED therapy, STENDRA, via potential OTC designation. If ultimately approved by the FDA for OTC access, STENDRA may be the first in its class to achieve this marketing status, also establishing company know how as a proven platform for other prospective prescription therapeutics.

Important Safety Information about STENDRA^® (avanafil)

STENDRA^® (avanafil), originally launched by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals prior to that company's sale to Endo Pharmaceuticals, is an oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. STENDRA is not for use in women or children. It is not known if STENDRA is safe and effective in women or children under 18 years of age. (A 100-mg and 200-mg tablet can be taken as early as ~15 minutes before sexual activity. STENDRA only works with sexual stimulation and should not be taken more than once a day. STENDRA can be taken with or without food; do not drink too much alcohol when taking STENDRA (for example, more than 3 glasses of wine or 3 shots of whiskey) as it can increase chances of side effects. Of people enrolled in clinical trials, 1.4%, 2.0%, and 2.0%, respectively, stopped taking STENDRA (50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg) due to side effects compared to 1.7% on placebo. STENDRA® was designed and developed expressly for erectile dysfunction.

STENDRA is contraindicated with any form of organic nitrates, in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the tablet, and in patients who are using a guanylate cyclase stimulator.

Patients should not use STENDRA if sexual activity is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status or any other reason. Before taking STENDRA tell your doctor if you have had any kind of heart issues including heart attack, heart failure, angina and irregular heartbeat or have elevated or low blood pressure.

Use of STENDRA with alpha-blockers, other antihypertensives, or substantial amounts of alcohol (greater than 3 units) may lead to hypotension.

Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts greater than 4 hours.

Patients should stop STENDRA and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of Non Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). Discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION in patients with a history of NAION.

Patients should stop taking STENDRA and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing.

STENDRA can potentiate the hypotensive effect of nitrates, alpha blockers, antihypertensives, and alcohol.

CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin) increase STENDRA exposure. For patients taking concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (including ketoconazole, ritonavir, atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, saquinavir and telithromycin), do not use STENDRA.

Combination with Other PDE5 Inhibitors or Erectile Dysfunction Therapies is not recommended.

The safety of STENDRA is unknown in patients with bleeding disorders and patients with active peptic ulceration.

The use of STENDRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Consider counseling patients on protective measures for sexually transmitted diseases.

The most common adverse reactions reported with use of STENDRA include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis, and back pain.

For more information about STENDRA, call 844-458-4887. If you would like to report an adverse event or product complaint, please contact us at 844-458-4887.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based upon Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s ("Petros," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") management's assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, and beliefs about future events. In some cases, predictive, future-tense or forward-looking words such as "intend," "develop," "goal," "plan," "predict", "may," "will," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "continue," "potential," "opportunity," "forecast," "should," "target," "pursuit," "strategy" and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions, and actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, Petros' ability to execute on its business strategy, including its plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Petros' ability to receive clearance from the FDA to sell STENDRA as an Over-the-Counter treatment; Petros' ability to comply with obligations as a public reporting company; Petros' ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market's listing standards; risks related to Petros' ability to continue as a going concern; risks related to Petros' history of incurring significant losses; risks related to Petros' dependence on the commercialization of a single product, STENDRA®; and risks related to Petros' ability to obtain regulatory approvals for, or market acceptance of, any of its products or product candidates. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's periodic reports and in other filings that the Company has filed, or may file, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere. The Company cautions readers that the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions only as of the date of hereof and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on any forward-looking statements.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in our views or expectations or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws.

Contacts

Investors:
CORE IR
ir@petrospharma.com

Media:
Jules Abraham
CORE IR
917-885-7378
pr@coreir.com

SOURCE: Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.?

The ticker symbol for Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is PTPI.

What feedback did Petros Pharmaceuticals receive from the FDA?

Petros Pharmaceuticals received positive feedback from the FDA for its technology component in pursuit of OTC status for STENDRA.

What did the FDA acknowledge regarding the technology component?

The FDA acknowledged that the technology addressed concerns related to the PDE5 inhibitor class, particularly for nitrate-using patients.

What did Fady Boctor, Petros' President, say about the FDA meeting?

Fady Boctor viewed the FDA meeting as a significant step in moving STENDRA to OTC status, incorporating feedback for future development.

What studies are currently underway for Petros Pharmaceuticals?

Petros Pharmaceuticals is conducting a pivotal two-arm Self-Selection study aligned with the FDA's guidance for 2H 2024 submission.