Vivus Signs International Marketing Agreement With Janssen

Business Wire, Jan 23, 1997

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1997--VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) today announced that the company has signed an international marketing agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica International, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

This agreement for MUSE (alprostadil), VIVUS treatment for erectile dysfunction, covers China, multiple Pacific Rim countries (excluding Japan), Canada, Mexico and South Africa.

VIVUS will receive a $5 million payment as a result of the execution of the agreement and additional payments will be made in the event that certain milestones are achieved. VIVUS will retain all proprietary rights to the product and intends to manufacture the product.

Janssen will market, sell and distribute MUSE (alprostadil) throughout The Peoples Republic of China, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Mexico and South Africa, once the required approvals are obtained. VIVUS and Janssen will establish a joint development and marketing board which will oversee all plans for development and commercialization of MUSE (alprostadil) in these markets.

"Janssen has established a strong market presence in the countries covered under the agreement," said Leland F. Wilson, president and chief executive officer of VIVUS. "Through this relationship with Janssen, we believe that we can effectively reach these new markets."

MUSE (alprostadil) was cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 1996 and was made commercially available in the U.S. in early January by VIVUS direct sales force. VIVUS also has a marketing agreement with Astra AB of Sweden to market and sell MUSE (alprostadil) throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Central America, once the required regulatory approvals are obtained.

Founded in 1991, VIVUS, Inc. is a leader in the development of advanced therapeutic systems for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. VIVUS has pioneered a novel therapy for erectile dysfunction known as the transurethral system for erection. This therapy consists of a proprietary, non-invasive, drug delivery system that delivers pharmacologic agents via the urethra.

CONTACT: VIVUS, Inc.

Barbara Clark or David Yntema, 415/325-5511 (investors)

or

IMS

Nick DeFilippis, 312/664-1616 (media)