Petros Pharmaceuticals Successfully Launches AI Tool In Collaboration with Multi-Billion-Dollar Software Provider
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Insights
The initiative by Petros Pharmaceuticals to integrate AI into the self-screening process for STENDRA (avanafil) represents a strategic move within the erectile dysfunction medication market. This sector has historically been dominated by prescription drugs and the potential shift towards OTC could significantly alter market dynamics. The key impact lies in the increased accessibility of erectile dysfunction medication, which could expand the consumer base and drive sales volume. The collaboration with a major software developer to create this AI tool suggests a substantial investment in technology to ensure regulatory compliance and user safety, which if successful, could set a precedent for other medications transitioning to OTC status.
From a financial perspective, the company's assertion of having sufficient funding to reach development goals and clinical milestones is reassuring to stakeholders. However, the costs associated with these technological and clinical advancements will need to be closely monitored. The market will be looking for the Human Factors Study results as a significant indicator of the company's ability to meet FDA requirements for OTC status, which would be a considerable competitive advantage.
The transition of STENDRA to OTC status hinges on satisfying the FDA's Additional Condition of Nonprescription Use (ACNU), which mandates the safe and effective use of the medication without a prescription. The integration of AI into the self-screening process is a novel approach to address this requirement. The Human Factors Study aims to validate that the general public can use the web app, which incorporates the AI tool, correctly without direct supervision. This study is pivotal in demonstrating to the FDA that the AI-enhanced self-screening tool can reliably identify appropriate candidates for the medication.
While the company's progress is promising, the FDA's approval process is rigorous and often unpredictable. The outcomes of the study will need to demonstrate clear and unambiguous results to satisfy regulatory standards. Any deficiencies in the study or the AI tool's performance could result in delays or additional requirements from the FDA, potentially affecting the company's timeline for achieving OTC status for STENDRA.
The application of AI in healthcare, particularly in patient self-screening, is an area of growing interest and development. Petros Pharmaceuticals' use of AI for self-screening could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of patient evaluation for STENDRA's use. If the AI tool proves effective, it could serve as a benchmark for incorporating advanced technology in consumer-directed healthcare applications. The success of this AI tool could also encourage further investment and innovation in the digital health space, particularly for conditions that require careful screening such as erectile dysfunction.
However, the adoption of AI raises questions about data privacy and security, especially when handling sensitive health information. It is important for Petros to have robust measures in place to protect patient data. The company's ability to manage these concerns effectively will be critical to consumer trust and the tool's adoption. The long-term impact of such AI integration will depend on its scalability, user acceptance and the balance between technological advancement and the protection of patient privacy.
Petros begins enrollment in AI integrated Human Factors Study to optimize self-screening, continuing its efforts to make STENDRA (avanafil) the first erectile dysfunction medication to achieve OTC Status
(Please see important safety information below)
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 19, 2024 / Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTPI), a company focused on expanding consumer access to medication through over-the- counter (OTC) drug development programs, announces it has successfully launched its artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed as a result of its collaboration with a multi-billion-dollar software developer. The tool is being integrated into the Company's web app being used for patient self-screening, which it is testing in its recently launched Human Factors study.
Fady Boctor, Petros' President and Chief Commercial Officer, commented, "The utilization of AI is a logical progression as we aim to optimize the safe administration of STENDRA (avanafil), in development for OTC availability. In addition, based on our recent interaction with the FDA on our technology approach, we believe the AI component directly addresses requests made by the Agency in order to optimize selection. Ultimately, we believe the AI will help us to gather information to ensure that the patient is appropriate to receive the drug. Importantly, we continue to believe that we have sufficient funding to achieve our development goals as well as significant near-term clinical milestones for STENDRA."
The Human Factors Study, which incorporates the AI tool, is designed to assess whether the web tool developed by the company can be used safely and effectively by its intended users. Subjects will be asked to perform critical tasks with the web app without any guidance from the study staff. The study is based on applicable FDA guidance for human factors studies. The outcomes from this study will further contribute to discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the need for the Additional Condition of Nonprescription Use (ACNU) with regard to the web app and the Company's endeavors to develop STENDRA into the first erectile dysfunction medication to go OTC.
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.
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.
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,
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.
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