UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

May 5, 2006

 


 

VIVUS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-23490

 

94-3136179

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

1172 CASTRO STREET

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(650) 934-5200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 



 

Item 8.01. Other Events

 

On May 5, 2006, VIVUS, Inc. issued a press release titled “VIVUS Announces Positive Phase 3 Clinical Trial Results for Evamist™- The First Transdermal Spray for the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms.” The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated May 5, 2006

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 
 
VIVUS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Timothy E. Morris

 

 

 

Timothy E. Morris
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date:  May 8, 2006

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated May 5, 2006

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

CONTACT:

 

VIVUS, Inc.

Vida Communication

Timothy E. Morris

Stephanie Diaz & Tim Brons

Chief Financial Officer

415-675-7400

650-934-5200

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

VIVUS Announces Positive Phase 3 Clinical Trial Results for Evamist™ -
The First Transdermal Spray for the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms

 

Evamist, First Novel Transdermal Spray, Shows 78% Decrease in
Moderate to Severe Hot Flashes

 

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 5, 2006 – VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) today announced positive results from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of Evamist™. VIVUS’ investigational estradiol metered dose transdermal spray is being developed for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause. The study showed a statistically significant reduction in the number and severity of moderate and severe hot flashes for all three doses tested. Evamist is a novel, once a day proprietary, first-in-class, transdermal spray that delivers estradiol, a naturally occurring estrogen, for the treatment of hot flashes in women. Evamist is a small, hand-held, simple-to-use spray that is designed to provide an easy and convenient means to deliver a preset dose of estradiol via the skin. Evamist is fast drying, non-irritating and invisible after application. Studies have shown that once administered, Evamist’s formulation is not affected by washing and does not transfer to partners. Evamist is easily titratable between one, two or three sprays.

 

VIVUS’ Phase 3 study assessed the safety and efficacy of Evamist for the treatment of hot flashes in menopausal women. The Phase 3 trial, which was conducted at 43 clinical sites in the United States, was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of 457 menopausal women. Patients were randomized into three treatment arms each administering a different dose with one, two or three sprays. This study was conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Results showed that the most effective Evamist dose significantly decreased the number of hot flashes by 78%, from 10.7 hot flashes per day at baseline to 2.3 hot flashes after treatment. This decrease was statistically significant compared to placebo (p<0.0001). The reduction in frequency and severity of moderate to severe hot flashes was statistically significant over placebo for all three doses of Evamist evaluated. Importantly, application site irritation was less than 1% and was mild in nature.

 

“We believe these positive trial results along with our novel patient-preferred transdermal delivery system will establish Evamist as a superior estrogen therapy for the treatment of

 

VIVUS, Inc. 1172 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA 94040   Tel 650-934-5200   Fax 650-934-5389  www.vivus.com

 



 

menopausal symptoms,” stated Leland F. Wilson, president and chief executive officer for VIVUS. “We have worked diligently toward the development of this unique and easy-to-use product, and we are thrilled with the efficacy and safety demonstrated in this trial. We now look forward to filing an NDA for Evamist in the second half of 2006.”

 

“These clinical results demonstrate Evamist’s efficacy as a treatment option for the large population of women suffering from menopausal symptoms,” stated Dr. John Buster, Professor, Baylor College of Medicine. “Symptoms of menopause can be devastating and debilitating. This data indicates that Evamist offers a valuable therapeutic option to this significant patient group.”

 

About Evamist

 

VIVUS believes Evamist offers significant advantages over oral, gel and patch estrogen products. Evamist is a small, hand-held, simple to use spray that is designed to provide an easy and convenient means to deliver a preset dose of estradiol via the skin. Evamist is placed gently against the skin and an actuator button is pushed which releases a light spray containing a proprietary formulation of estradiol. Estradiol is released into the blood stream on a sustained basis over 24 hours. Evamist is fast drying, non-irritating and invisible after application.

 

About Menopause

 

Approximately two million American women turn 50 each year. Women naturally enter into menopause usually between the ages of 45 and 55; however, surgical menopause may happen at any age. Menopausal symptoms occur when the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Symptoms include hot flashes, discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse due to vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vagina), and changes in skin and hair.

 

About VIVUS

 

VIVUS, Inc. is a pioneer in the research and development of proprietary products to restore sexual function for women and men. VIVUS’ current product pipeline includes four investigational products in late stage clinical development. For women, VIVUS has completed a Phase 3 program for Evamist™ for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms, and initiated a Phase 2B program with ALISTA™ for female sexual arousal disorder. Additionally, the company has completed Phase 2 development of Testosterone MDTS® for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The MDTS system is a patented new-generation, transdermal drug delivery technology that delivers drugs directly through the skin. For men, VIVUS has completed Phase 2 development of avanafil for erectile dysfunction. The company currently markets MUSE® (alprostadil) suppository for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the U.S. and internationally through distributors. For more information on clinical trials and products, please visit the company’s web site at www.vivus.com.

 

Note to Investors

 

VIVUS will hold an Analyst Day in New York City on Thursday, May 18, 2006, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST. The event will be held at the Four Season’s Hotel, 57 East 57th Street, New York, New York. VIVUS management and certain principal investigators will be on hand to discuss the results from the pivotal Phase 3 studies of Evamist. A detailed update on all other development programs as well as other corporate developments will be included. Seating is limited and participants can confirm their attendance by contacting Stephanie Diaz at Vida Communications, 415-675-7401 or sdiaz@vidallc.com.

 



 

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “estimated” and “intend,” among others. These forward-looking statements are based on VIVUS’ current expectations and actual results could differ materially. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, substantial competition; uncertainties of patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or third party payer reimbursement; reliance on sole source suppliers; limited sales and marketing efforts and dependence upon third parties; risks related to the development of innovative products; and risks related to failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and noncompliance with FDA regulations. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and commercialization of new products. There are no guarantees that future clinical studies discussed in this press release will be completed or successful or that any product will receive regulatory approval for any indication or prove to be commercially successful. VIVUS does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement. Investors should read the risk factors set forth in VIVUS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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