Research On Local Delivery of Type 5 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Published by VIVUS and Tulane University Medical School

Business Wire, Feb 27, 2001

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 27, 2001

VIVUS Inc. (Nasdaq:VVUS), a pharmaceutical company developing innovative products to improve quality of life, and Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, today announced publication of research in the March, 2001 edition of the Journal of Urology, conducted to determine the effects of selective type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors when given alone or in combination with a nitric oxide donor or alprostadil (PGE1).

Data from the studies conducted in a well accepted in vivo model demonstrated that intracavernosal injection of a selective PDE5 inhibitor combined with PGE1 produced erectile responses that were greater than when the PDE5 inhibitor was administered alone or in combination with a nitric oxide donor.

Further, the response was equivalent to responses obtained with the control drug combination of papaverine, phentolamine and alprostadil (also known as triple mix, the "Gold Standard" against which all treatments of erectile dysfunction are compared).

"These data suggest that combining a selective type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor with PGE1 may be a highly effective local therapy for men suffering from erectile dysfunction and an acceptable alternative to other current forms of treatment," stated Dr. Wayne Hellstrom, Professor of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine.

While data presented in this study demonstrated that intracavernosal injection of the combination was highly effective, additional studies using transurethral administration showed similar results.

VIVUS Inc. is a pharmaceutical company developing innovative products to improve quality of life disorders in men and women, with a focus on sexual dysfunction. The Company developed and markets in the U.S. MUSE (alprostadil) and ACTIS(R) (recently cleared for OTC marketing), two innovations in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and has partnered with Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) for the international marketing and distribution of its male transurethral ED products. In Canada, VIVUS is partnered exclusively with Paladin Labs (to market and distribute MUSE). VIVUS initiated clinical studies for its female sexual dysfunction product, ALISTA, during the fourth quarter of 2000.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties regarding VIVUS Inc.'s operations and future results. See the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, the Company's Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs, which identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Note to editors and investors: Additional written materials, recent releases and Company information are available through a variety of sources, including the VIVUS home page (www.vivus.com) and the VIVUS Fax-On-Demand Service (1-888-329-5719).