Message #16 From:
NewsBot Date: January 2, 2007 06:56:00 AM
AIS News Antares ATD(TM) Formulation Enters Phase III Study
EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Antares Pharma, Inc. (Amex:AIS) announced that its development partner
BioSante Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase III safety and efficacy
trial of Antares’ transdermal testosterone gel
(currently called LibiGel®) for the treatment
of FSD. The Phase III trial is scheduled to enroll approximately 360
surgically menopausal women in a double-blind, placebo-controlled six
month trial under a protocol and investigational new drug (IND)
application reviewed by and on file with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). It is currently anticipated that the Phase III
safety and efficacy trials, plus one year of safety data, are the
essential requirements for submission and approval by the FDA of a new
drug application (NDA).
Currently there is no FDA approved pharmaceutical product to treat FSD
and if approved this product may help address the unmet medical need.
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association, 43 percent of American women (about 40 million) experience
some degree of impaired sexual function. Our Advanced Transdermal
Delivery (ATD™) formulation of testosterone
gel is the second of our formulated products for women's health to enter
Phase III clinical trials. The first product, our ATD™
low dose estradiol gel formulation named Elestrin™,
recently received FDA approval for the treatment of vasometer symptoms
in hormone replacement therapy and will be marketed by Bradley
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Jack E. Stover, President & CEO of Antares Pharma Inc. said, “We
are pleased that our ATD™ testosterone gel has
progressed to Phase III clinical trials and we look forward to the
possibility of eventual approval of another gel formulation in our ATD
platform.” Stover added, “It
is important to note that Antares has a similar economic arrangement
with this formulation as we have with Elestrin including product
marketing rights in major European markets.”
About Antares Pharma
Antares Pharma is a specialized pharma product development company
focused on developing patented drug delivery systems and injectable
device engineering capabilities. Antares’
current technology platforms include its ATD™
Advanced Transdermal Delivery system, and its related TecTix™
system for topical and transmucosal delivery, its Easy Tec™
oral fast-melt technology, and subcutaneous injection technology
platforms including both Vibex™ disposable
mini-needle injection device and Valeo™/Vision®
reusable needle-free injection devices. Antares Pharma is committed to
leveraging its multiple drug delivery platforms to add value to existing
drugs and to create new pharmaceutical products and injectable devices.
Overall, Antares’ product pipeline, if
approved, will address unmet medical needs by reducing side effect
profiles, improving safety, increasing effectiveness, and improving
patient compliance and convenience. Antares Pharma has corporate
headquarters in Princeton Crossroads Corporate Center in Ewing, NJ, with
subsidiaries performing research, development, manufacturing and product
commercialization activities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Basel,
Switzerland.
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical facts or statements or current conditions,
this press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the “Safe Harbor”
provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
including statements regarding the outcome of the Phase III study
mentioned herein. Forward-looking statements provide Antares’
current expectation or forecasts of future events. Antares’
results could differ materially from those reflected in these
forward-looking statements due to decisions of regulatory authorities,
Antares’ ability to execute on its
development plans and general financial, economic, regulatory and
political conditions affecting the pharmaceutical industry generally.
For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that may
effect the forward-looking statements, please see the risk factors in
Antares’ quarterly reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties,
any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be
incorrect. Antares undertakes no obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statement.