Idea Evolver is the only provider to successfully complete Actual Use Trial for FDA review for Rx-to-OTC Switch Approval

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 5, 2023 / Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTPI), a company focused on expanding consumer access to medication through over-the- counter (OTC) drug development programs, announces its partnership with Idea Evolver (IE), a Technology platform for Rx-to-OTC switches and digital pharmaceutical launch solutions. The partnership will focus on developing an application to help facilitate the technology element for the Company's prescription to OTC switch for its erectile dysfunction drug STENDRA^® (avanafil). The application will be developed using IE's proprietary Rx-to-OTC platform, CodeScripts.

Fady Boctor, Petros' President and Chief Commercial Officer, commented, "This first partnership around the technology aspects that will help to facilitate the Rx-to-OTC switch for STENDRA is an important development as it is a crucial aspect of ensuring that the appropriate patients safely have access to the OTC product, should it achieve FDA approval. The added benefit of a potential AI/machine learning component, which is being developed in response to FDA feedback to provide an automated screening mechanism, should enhance the self-selection process. Idea Evolver has the distinction of currently being the only technology provider in the space that has documented experience in advancing a currently available drug through an Actual Use Trial successfully in its path to a potential OTC approval. We look forward to continued development of this tool and to further collaboration with other potential partners and the FDA as we continue to refine the process for STENDRA."

Idea Evolver has worked with multiple large healthcare organizations to provide various technology solutions. The company also took part in the only technology-enabled prescription to OTC switch clinical study published (Nissen et.al., JACC Vol. 78, No. 11, 2021, September 14, 2021:114-1123), which is also known as an Actual Use Trial for rosuvastatin (Crestor), which was included in an application to the FDA for OTC approval. The development of the technology, which Petros intends to use for future studies as well as in practice, will be based on provided branding, consumer research, and behavior analysis. The collaboration between Petros and Idea Evolver will focus on incorporating Idea Evolver's experience with human factors and usability engineering into the application's design, as well as developing artificial intelligence components.

1. Blockbuster Drug is defined as a pharmaceutical therapy that produces over $1 billion in sales. See Blockbuster Drug: What it is, How it Works (investopedia.com)

About Petros Pharmaceuticals

Petros Pharmaceuticals is committed to the goal of becoming a leading innovator in the emerging self-care market driving expanded access to key prescription pharmaceuticals as Over-the-Counter treatment options. Currently, Petros is pursuing increased access for its flagship prescription ED therapy, STENDRA, via potential OTC designation. If ultimately approved by the FDA for OTC access, STENDRA may be the first in its class to achieve this marketing status, also establishing company know how as a proven platform for other prospective prescription therapeutics.

About the OTC Pathway

The process of switching a prescription medication to over the counter (OTC) first involves the design of a Drug Facts Label (DFL) that is well understood by potential consumers. Then data must show that consumers can make an appropriate decision to use or not to use the product based only upon the information on the DFL and their personal medical history. Then consumers must demonstrate that they can properly use the product based upon the information on the DFL. To accomplish these things, the FDA ordinarily requires a consumer tested OTC DFL. This testing includes conduct of iterative Label Comprehension Studies (LCS) in the general population, Self-Selection Studies (SSS) in a population interested in using the product and in specific populations who may be harmed if they use the product, and usually one Actual Use Trial (AUT) demonstrating safe and appropriate use by consumers in a simulated OTC setting.

The regulations that FDA is currently finalizing introduced Additional Conditions for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) criteria that enable correct self-selection by consumers and may expand OTC access to medications that formerly could only be available by prescription. An ACNU may be an innovative computerized tool, or the additional conditions may use other approaches that support the switch process.

About STENDRA^® (avanafil)

Stendra^® (avanafil), originally launched by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals prior to that company's sale to Endo Pharmaceuticals, is an oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. STENDRA is not for use in women or children. It is not known if STENDRA is safe and effective in women or children under 18 years of age. (A 100-mg and 200-mg tablet can be taken as early as ~15 minutes before sexual activity. STENDRA only works with sexual stimulation and should not be taken more than once a day. STENDRA can be taken with or without food; do not drink too much alcohol when taking STENDRA (for example, more than 3 glasses of wine or 3 shots of whiskey) as it can increase chances of side effects. Of people enrolled in clinical trials, 1.4%, 2.0%, and 2.0%, respectively, stopped taking STENDRA (50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg) due to side effects compared to 1.7% on placebo. Stendra® was designed and developed expressly for erectile dysfunction. The Company recently undertook a relaunch of Stendra®, generating gross revenues of approximately $30 million in 2019. Petros intends to accelerate the relaunch of Stendra® with a well-funded commercial organization and refocused strategy.

STENDRA Important Risk Information

STENDRA ® (avanafil) is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. STENDRA is not for use in women or children.

Contraindications

Stendra is contraindicated with any form of organic nitrates, in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the tablet, and in patients who are using a guanylate cyclase stimulator.

Warnings and Precautions

• Patients should not use STENDRA if sexual activity is inadvisable due to cardiovascular status or any other reason. Before taking STENDRA tell your doctor if you have had any kind of heart issues including heart attack, heart failure, angina and irregular heartbeat or have elevated or low blood pressure.
• Use of STENDRA with alpha-blockers, other antihypertensives, or substantial amounts of alcohol (greater than 3 units) may lead to hypotension.
• Patients should seek emergency treatment if an erection lasts greater than 4 hours.
• Patients should stop STENDRA and seek medical care if a sudden loss of vision occurs in one or both eyes, which could be a sign of Non Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). Discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION in patients with a history of NAION.
• Patients should stop taking STENDRA and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing.
• Do not drink too much alcohol (for example, more than 3 glasses of wine or 3 shots of whiskey) when taking STENDRA, as this can lead to increased chances of headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, or lowered blood pressure.
• STENDRA can potentiate the hypotensive effect of nitrates, alpha blockers, antihypertensives, and alcohol. CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin) increase STENDRA exposure.
• Combination with Other PDE5 Inhibitors or Erectile Dysfunction Therapies is not recommended.
• The safety of STENDRA is unknown in patients with bleeding disorders and patients with active peptic ulceration.
• The use of STENDRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Consider counselling patients on protective measures for sexually transmitted diseases.

Side Effects

The most common adverse reactions reported with use of Stendra include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, nasopharyngitis, and back pain.

For more information about STENDRA, call 844-458-4887. If you would like to report an adverse event or product complaint, please contact us at 844-458-4887.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based upon Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s ("Petros," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") management's assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, and beliefs about future events. In some cases, predictive, future-tense or forward-looking words such as "intend," "develop," "goal," "plan," "predict", "may," "will," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "continue," "potential," "opportunity," "forecast," "should," "target," "strategy" and similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Such forward-looking statements are only predictions, and actual results and the timing of certain events and circumstances may differ materially from those described by the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, Petros' ability to execute on its business strategy, including its plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates; Petros' ability to comply with obligations as a public reporting company; Petros' ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Stock Market's listing standards; risks related to Petros' ability to continue as a going concern; risks related to Petros' history of incurring significant losses; risks related to Petros' dependence on the commercialization of a single product, STENDRA®; and risks related to Petros' ability to obtain regulatory approvals for, or market acceptance of, any of its products or product candidates. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements are contained in the Company's periodic reports and in other filings that the Company has filed, or may file, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere. The Company cautions readers that the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent our beliefs, expectations, estimates and assumptions only as of the date of hereof and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on any forward-looking statements.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether because of new information, future events, a change in our views or expectations or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws.

Contacts

Investors:
CORE IR
ir@petrospharma.com

Media:
Jules Abraham
CORE IR
917-885-7378
pr@coreir.com

SOURCE: Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc.