Vivus Announces FDA Approval Of STENDRA™ (avanafil) Tablets For The Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVUS, Inc. (VVUS) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved STENDRA (avanafil) tablets for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), marking the first new prescription agent approved in nearly a decade for the condition that afflicts as many as 30 million men in the U.S.

"Patients and treating physicians continue to report significant dissatisfaction with current treatments of ED," said Peter Tam, president, VIVUS. "We believe that the PDE5 selectivity and absorption profileof STENDRA make it an important new treatment option for many men with erectile dysfunction."

More than 1,200 men with ED participated in clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of STENDRA. STENDRA at all doses tested (50mg, 100mg and 200mg) met all primary efficacy endpoints. Significant improvement in erectile function was observed for all doses in STENDRA-treated patients compared to placebo.

It is recommendedthat STENDRA should be taken approximately 30 minutes before sexual activity. STENDRA should not be taken more than once per day. For more information about STENDRA, please visit http://www.Stendra.com.

"STENDRA is the first of a new generation of PDE5 inhibitors, and the approval marks an exciting new milestone for the millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction who are in need of a new treatment option," said Dr. Wayne Hellstrom, Professor of Urology and Chief of Andrology (male infertility and sexual dysfunction) at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

ED affects an estimated 52 percent of men between the ages of 40 and 70. Prevalence increases with age and can be caused by a variety of factors, including medications (anti-hypertensives, histamine receptor antagonists); lifestyle (tobacco, alcohol use); diseases (diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, prostate cancer); and spinal cord injuries. Left untreated, ED can negatively impact relationships and self-esteem, causing feelings of embarrassment and guilt. However, about half of men being treated with currently available PDE5 inhibitors are dissatisfied with treatment. The market opportunity for ED medical treatments continues to grow, with worldwide sales of PDE5 inhibitors exceeding $5 billion in 2011.

VIVUS is currently in discussion with potential partners to commercialize STENDRA in the United States and in its territories in the rest of the world.

STENDRA (avanafil) is licensed from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation. VIVUS has development and commercial rights to STENDRA for the treatment of sexual dysfunction worldwide with the exception of certain Asian Pacific Rim countries.In South Korea, STENDRA is approved and is marketed by JW Pharma under the brand name Zepeed.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

STENDRA (avanafil) is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

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Vivus Announces FDA Approval Of STENDRA™ (avanafil) Tablets For The Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction