[news 2001- 2002]

PARTEQ-licensed erectile dysfunction drug receives approval for sale in Europe

June 21, 2001

A new treatment for male erectile dysfunction developed by researchers at Queen's University, Kingston General Hospital and Pentech Pharmaceuticals, and licensed to Pentech by PARTEQ Innovations, is now on sale in Europe. Uprima™ , marketed by Abbott Laboratories and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, is the first centrally acting therapy to be approved by the European Commission for the treatment of the condition, which is estimated to affect more than 150 million men worldwide. The drug is currently on sale in Great Britain and the Netherlands, and will be on sale in the rest of Europe by year end.

"With its approval in Europe, we believe Uprima will play a leading role in the treatment of this condition around the world," says John Molloy, President and CEO of PARTEQ.

Uprima works through the central nervous system, enhancing the natural signals in the brain for erectile response. Unlike most orally administered drugs, Uprima is dissolved under the tongue, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the bloodstream quickly, usually taking effect in under 20 minutes.

"Uprima offers several benefits for patients: It works fast, and it functions similarly to the way men normally have erections," says Dr. Jeremy Heaton, Professor of Urology at Queen's University and Kingston General Hospital. "Long-term data in men who continued in studies demonstrate that Uprima is successful in more than 90 per cent of attempts at intercourse."

Developed by Drs. Alvaro Morales and Jerermy Heaton, urologists at Kingston General Hospital and Dr. Michael Adams, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Queen's, the drug application was patented by Pentech Pharmaceuticals and Parteq Innovations.

PARTEQ Innovations is a not-for-profit corporation which acts as the technology transfer agent for Queen's University at Kingston. PARTEQ is a leader in the commercialization of university intellectual property in Canada, with revenues over the last two years exceeding $13 million. The market approval of Uprima TM represents the third approved drug from which PARTEQ receives revenue.

John Molloy, President and CEO, PARTEQ Innovations
Phone: (613) 533-2342
Email: molloyj@post.queensu.ca