Schering AG drops erectile dysfunction product

Schering AG has terminated a supply, licence and distribution agreement with NexMed, a pharmaceutical innovation company, for the supply of Alprox-TD, a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

New Jersey-based NexMed said it believed that Schering AG no longer saw the product as a strategic fit. The two companies signed a deal 2004 which gave Schering AG marketing rights in Europe, South Africa, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Although the product is in clinical development and NexMed did not receive any milestone payments, Schering will have to pay 500,000 euros (345,000 pounds) to terminate the agreement.

NexMed’s chief executive officer, Richard J Berman, commented: “While we regret losing Schering as an overseas marketing partner for Alprox-TD, we are pleased to have back in our possession these valuable licensing and marketing rights.”

“We will use this opportunity to redouble our efforts to license Alprox-TD to a co-development partner who will commit financial resources to the completion of the clinical development program required for approval in Europe and the US. We have already commenced discussions with a number of potential partners,” he added.

Alprox-TD has completed two phase III trials and showed “statistically significant efficacy”.

Schering AG, soon to become part of Bayer Schering Pharma, does not currently offer a drug for erectile dysfunction, which can affect approximately half of men aged over 40 at some point, according to BUPA. The company does, however, produce testosterone replacement therapy and produce drugs for andrological diseases.

© Adfero Ltd