Apricus Announces Plans To Further Commercialize Its ED Drug Vitaros In 2015

(RTTNews) - Drug developer Apricus Biosciences, Inc. (APRI) said Monday that it will continue to leverage its erectile dysfunction drug Vitaros as a cash-generating asset through growing royalty and milestone payments as the company's commercial partners ramp up sales and expand the product's market reach through additional European launches.

Vitaros, the company's novel topical treatment for erectile dysfunction, received European approval and was commercially launched in four countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden and Belgium earlier this year. During 2015, Vitaros is expected to launch in six additional European territories, including major markets such as France, Italy and Spain.

The company also said it will continue to pursue out-license opportunities for Vitaros in Asia Pacific and Latin America and that it will work to support the launch of Vitaros by its distribution partner in Canada.

Apricus' marketing partners for Vitaros are Abbott Laboratories Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceuticals International GmbH, Hexal AG (Sandoz), Recordati Ireland Ltd. (Recordati S.p.A.), Bracco S.p.A. and Laboratoires Majorelle.

Additionally, Apricus plans to complete Phase 2 clinical trials of RayVa for Raynaud's phenomenon and fispemifene for urological conditions in men in 2015. The company expects to report RayVa Phase 2a study results by the end of the second quarter of 2015 and fispemifene Phase 2b study results in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Apricus in-licensed the U.S. rights to fispemifene from Forendo Pharma in October. Patient enrollment commenced in December for the 45-patient Phase 2a clinical trial for RayVa

"2014 has been a transformational year for Apricus. Importantly, we achieved several key corporate goals that will support our growth strategy in 2015 and beyond," said Richard Pascoe, Apricus' Chief Executive Officer.

Apricus shares closed Monday's regular trading session at $0.99, up 4 cents or 4.21%.