SAN DIEGO, Calif., Aug. 21, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has begun promoting its newest product, Vaniqa(R) (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9%, to the OB/GYN market. Women First acquired Vaniqa(R), a topical cream clinically proven to slow the growth of unwanted facial hair in women, from a joint venture between Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gillette in June 2002.
Commenting on the launch, Saundra Childs, vice president of the pharmaceutical division, said "Past prescription trends show that Vaniqa(R) is promotion-sensitive, and market research done by the previous owners of Vaniqa(R) indicated that the product should be promoted to both the gynecologist and dermatologist. This launch will allow us to capitalize on our existing relationships by promoting to the OB/GYNs that we already call on, and to do so with little incremental expense. We are also currently in discussions with several companies to form a strategic relationship to promote to dermatologists in the United States. We expect to announce a deal by the end of the year."
Women First HealthCare is also in negotiations with potential partners to launch Vaniqa(R) internationally. "Vaniqa(R) is approved internationally in 26 countries, but has never been launched outside the U.S. We believe that international markets represent a significant opportunity for the product," said Childs.
Vice president and CFO Charles Caporale commented "Our expectations for the launch are included in the increased guidance we have previously provided."
About Vaniqa(R) (eflornithine hydrochloride) Cream, 13.9%
Vaniqa(R) is indicated for the reduction of unwanted facial hair in women. Vaniqa has been shown to retard the rate of hair growth in non-clinical and clinical studies. Vaniqa has only been studied on the face and adjacent involved areas under the chin of affected individuals. Usage should be limited to these areas of involvement. In controlled trials, Vaniqa provided clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvement in the reduction of facial hair growth around the lips and under the chin for nearly 60% of women using Vaniqa. Vaniqa is not a hair remover but complements other current methods of hair removal such as electrolysis, shaving, depilatories, waxing, and tweezing. The patient should continue to use hair removal techniques as needed in conjunction with Vaniqa. Improvement in the condition may be noticed within four to eight weeks of starting therapy. Continued treatment may result in further improvement and is necessary to maintain beneficial effects. The condition may return to pre-treatment levels within eight weeks following discontinuation of treatment. The most frequent adverse events related to treatment with Vaniqa were skin-related adverse events.
Women First HealthCare, Inc. (Nasdaq:WFHC) is a San Diego-based specialty pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1996, its mission is to help midlife women make informed choices regarding their health care and to provide pharmaceutical products-the Company's primary emphasis-and lifestyle products to meet their needs. Women First HealthCare is specifically targeted to women age 40+ and their clinicians. Further information about Women First HealthCare can be found online at www.womenfirst.com, About Us and Investor Relations.
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks, and Women First HealthCare, Inc. cautions you that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Women First HealthCare, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including (i) we have incurred significant losses since we were founded in November 1996, and if midlife women do not use, and their clinicians do not recommend, the products we offer, we will experience losses in the future; (ii) there is a limited market awareness of our Company and the products and services we offer; (iii) we may not be able to identify appropriate acquisition, licensing, or co-promotion candidates in the future or to take advantage of the opportunities we identify; (iv) we and our products face significant competition; (v) our products may not achieve or maintain market acceptance for a variety of reasons, including as a result of recent research published by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health concerning estrogen replenishment therapy and combination estrogen/progestin hormonal replenishment therapy in healthy menopausal women, respectively; (vi) if we do not successfully manage any growth we experience, we may experience increased expenses without corresponding revenue increases; (vi) we are dependent on single sources of supply for all of the products we offer; (vii) reduced consumer confidence could adversely affect sales by our Consumer Business Division; (viii) our third party suppliers and licensors may terminate their agreements with us earlier than we expect, and as a result we may be unable to continue to market and sell the related pharmaceutical products on an exclusive basis or at all; (ix ) we have incurred significant debt obligations which will require us to make debt service payments in the future; and (x) we may not be successful in our efforts to establish strategic alliances for the sales of our existing products in new markets; (xi) additional factors set forth in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001 and its Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002.