Two new patent applications filed by Peptonic Medical
Stockholm 21st December 2016. - Peptonic Medical AB (publ) -– a company developing pharmaceuticals based on oxytocin – today announced that it has filed two patent applications for the use of oxytocin for the treatment of vestibulitis and genital herpes, respectively.
”It’s gratifying that our work in evaluating new medical applications for oxytocin has resulted in two new patent applications”, says Johan Inborr, CEO of Peptonic Medical. “We think that treatment with oxytocin has significant potential in these indications”.
For further information, please contact:
Johan Inborr, VD
Mobile: + 46 708 853 893
E-mail: johan.inborr@peptonicmedical.se
About vestibulitis
Vestibulitis (or Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome, VVS) means ’burning vulva’ and is described as pain in and around the vulva, usually in connection with sexual intercourse, but some women experience constant pain. VVS is a recent disease that was previously regarded as psychosomatic but is an inflammatory condition where a touch, that would normally be regarded as light, is felt as a sharp, stinging and/or burning pain.
The prevalence of VVS is estimated at 4 per cent of the female population - whereas the lifetime prevalence is estimated at 15 per cent. Primarily young women are affected by this disease which can last for many years and it can have a very negative effect on the quality of life. Indeed it is thought that many women suffer from these symptoms without consulting a physician.
Today there are no established treatments for VVS and those suffering from the disease are usually left to find their own methods for symptom relief. Hence, the need for an effective treatment.
About genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by a virus, Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 ((HSV-2), which is closely related to Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is the cause of cold sores. Due to the virus infection, small painful blisters develop around the genitals. The virus stays dormant in the nerves of the areas affected by the primary infection (except for the recurring episodes). After the primary infection, secondary (recurring) infections may occur as a result of e.g. stress or menstruation. The secondary infections are usually less intense than the primary infection, and the virus stays dormant in the areas affected by the primary infection (except for the recurring episodes). The virus infection is sexually transmitted. Approximately one out of five adults in Sweden are infected by HSV-2, but the majority of those infected experience no symptoms. Today patients suffering from either primary or recurrent genital herpes are treated with antiviral drugs such as valaciclovir or famciclovir, as well as topical anti-inflammatory treatment.
According to a recently published report, the global market for genital herpes is estimated to grow to USD 668 million in 2023 (Source: GlobalData, 2015).
Why oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone that is produced within the neurons of the brain and released in to the blood stream. It is well known for its key role in labour and breast feeding, stimulating the contraction of the uterus and milk ejection. Oxytocin has been used clinically since the 1960s as an IV drip and is also administered as an injection after childbirth to reduce uterine bleeding. More recently, oxytocin has been found to possess additional medicinal benefits as an anti-inflammatory agent, in promoting the healing of tissues as well as the possible reduction in certain types of pain. Due to this emerged knowledge, there is reason to believe that oxytocin could be used to treat women suffering from, for example, vestibulitis and genital herpes with oxytocin.
Oxytocin is the active substance of Vagitocin®, which is currently being investigated for the treatment of vaginal atrophy in menopausal women. In this application, the oxytocin gel is administered vaginally.
In women suffering from vestibulitis and gential herpes, the oxytocin gel will be administered topically to affected areas of the vulva and to the skin around the vulva.
About Peptonic Medical AB
Peptonic Medical AB (publ) is an innovative Swedish pharmaceutical company developing oxytocin based products including for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal atrophy. Peptonic Medical’s mission is to develop safe and effective drugs based on the well-known beneficial properties of oxytocin.