Ukmedix has received information about a new deal that links up the medical device group Futura Medical with the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in order to develop a new directly applied erection gel. The new gel is codenamed MED2002 and if it proves to be successful on further development then it will lay claim to being the first non prescription pharmaceutical remedy for erectile dysfunction in men.

At present all the erectile dysfunction medications available on the market are pills that are taken before you require to have sex and they are known as PDE-5 inhibitors and they work by increasing the blood flow to the penis by opening up the blood vessels. The drugs are generally effective and have proved to be very popular, however in some people they cause hot flushes and nausea and therefore they are not perfect for all men. Men with heart conditions who take nitrates are unable to use Viagra, Cialis and Levitra so a gel would work well with them too.

The success of Viagra meant that millions of pounds were invested in new erectile dysfunction remedies and today it is evident that some of these investments have paid of very well with Cialis for example selling more than Viagra in France, and Levitra also stealing considerable market share fom Viagra too. Impotence is a condition that is not discussed very much among men and therefore the actual extent of the impotence problem is always difficult to evaluate and thus the marketable potential of erectile dysfunction medication can only be guessed at in some cases. Many men are simply too emabarassed to get a prescription Viagra, Cialis or Levitra and therefore a non prescription impotence remedy may be the answer to their prayers.

Futura Medical and GSK will be conducting clinical studies with the topically applied gel towards the finish of the year and the deal stipulates that GlaxoSmithKline will put up 65% of costs of the clinical research program and Futura will put up 35% of the costs. In terms of research and development the costs are small at £3.65million.