ProStrakan announces UK launch of Tostran

ProStrakan has announced the launch of Tostran (two per cent testosterone gel) in the UK. The product will be marketed to healthcare professionals in the UK through the company’s salesforce of 60 staff.

The firm notes that around six to 12 per cent of men over the age of 40 are reported to experience low testosterone levels and associated clinical symptoms, with the testosterone replacement market in Europe valued at in the region of $500 million (253.8 million pounds).

When testosterone deficiency is confirmed by laboratory analyses and the presence of clinical symptoms, physicians will prescribe the gel as a replacement therapy for male hypogonadism.

Released in Sweden in 2005, ProStrakan anticipates the roll-out of Tostran across the major markets in Europe by the end of the year.

Dr Wilson Totten, chief executive of the firm, said: “Tostran represents a high potential, high value opportunity for us and its UK launch is a major milestone in the group’s development.

“While the UK is our largest single market, we will continue the rollout of this product across the rest of Europe during the remainder of 2007.”

He predicted that the introduction of this treatment will have a large impact upon the future of the business while adding that Tostran is one of five products the company intends to launch across Europe over the next year and a half.

ProStrakan acquired the rights to Tostran and Rectogesic in December 2006 from Cellegy Pharmaceuticals for the sum of $9 million.