MarcoChem Seeks Partners to Develop, Market Topical Impotence Treatment
Topiglan is topically applied gel of 1% alprostadil and SEPA, MacroChem's patented absorption-enhancing agent. While Alprostadil has proven safe and effective as a treatment for many men incapable of attaining and maintaining an erection, currently marketed alprostadil products must be injected into the penis with a hypodermic needle, or introduced as a suppository into the urethra, using a mechanical device.
MacroChem recently assessed the efficacy and safety of Topiglan in a double-blind Phase II office study of 60 patients with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. During the first visit, patients were screened with placebo gel. Patients who responded to the placebo gel were dropped from the study. At the second visit, remaining patients were randomly allocated to receive either Topiglan or placebo applied to the glans (head) of the penis. In this group of patients with erectile dysfunction, 12 of 31 patients (38.7%) on Topiglan and only 2 of 29 (6.9%) on placebo achieved an erection judged sufficient for vaginal penetration.
MacroChem is a drug delivery company that treatments for major diseases based on a patented absorption-enhancement technology called SEPA. SEPA (Soft Enhancement of Percutaneous Absorption) promotes topical absorption of drugs through the skin.
For more information: Alvin J. Karloff, President and CEO, MacroChem Corp., 110 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02421-3134. Tel: 781-862-4003. Fax: 781-862-4338.