Product Update - ErecAid

5 Dec 2006 07:03

Plethora Solutions Holdings PLC05 December 2006 PLETHORA SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS PLC Product Update Osbon ErecAid(R): Use of ErecAid after Radical Prostate Surgery reduces incidence of penile shortening. Plethora Solutions Holdings plc ("Plethora", AIM: PLE), the specialist developerof products for the treatment and management of urological disorders, notes thepublication of new research that shows that regular use of the Osbon ErecAid(R)product marketed through Plethora's US subsidiary, Timm Medical, can reduce theincidence of penile shortening in men recovering from prostate cancer surgery; aprocedure known as radical prostatectomy ('RRP'). An estimated 235,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006(1), of which approximately 25% will be treated by having their prostatesurgically removed via a radical prostatectomy. Consequent tissue and nervedamage and scar formation can lead to temporary or sometimes permanent loss oferectile function and changes in penile dimension. Penile shrinkage occurs inmore than two-thirds of men undergoing radical prostatectomy, with reductions inlength of more than 1cm reported in almost half of men three months aftersurgery(2),(3) In a paper entitled 'Preservation of Penile Length After Radical Prostatectomy(RRP): Early Intervention With a Vacuum Erection Device (VED)' presented at the7th Annual Society of Urologic Oncology on December 1, 2006, Dr. Bruce Dalkinreported that of the 28 men recovering from radical prostatectomy who made dailyuse of the Osbon ErecAid(R) vacuum system, only one experienced a reduction inpenile length greater than 1cm. Of the four patients who did not make daily useof the vacuum system, three experienced a reduction in penile length of morethan 1cm. The incidence of penile shrinkage in the experimental group of 3.5%compared favorably to 48% incidence of penile shortening after RRP reported inhistorical controls(2). The study concludes that "...early intervention with VED should be recommendedin all potent men undergoing nerve-sparing RRP to preserve penile length." Dr Steven Powell, Plethora CEO, commented: "The Osbon ErecAid(R) is frequently prescribed for patients for whom oral drugsare ineffective treatments for erectile dysfunction. This new researchhighlights the potential for the ErecAid(R) device to play a significant role inminimising the impact of radical prostate surgery on a patient's quality oflife." --------------------------(1) American Cancer Society 2006 (2) Munding MD, Wessells HB, Dalkin BL.Pilot study of changes in stretchedpenile length 3 months after radical retropubic prostatectomy. Urology 2001;58:567-93 (3) Savoie M, Kim SS, Soloway MS.A prospective study measuring penile length inmen treated with radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. J Urol2003; 169 : 1462-44 -Ends- For further information contact: Plethora Solutions Tel : 020 7269 8630Steven Powell City/Financial Enquiries Tel: 020 7379 5151MaitlandBrian Hudspith/Liz Morley Scientific/Trade Press Enquiries Tel: 020 7861 3838DeFacto CommunicationsRichard Anderson About Plethora: Plethora is focused on the development and marketing of products for thetreatment of urological disorders. The Company has products in clinicaldevelopment for the treatment of overactive bladder, stress urinaryincontinence, interstitial cystitis, gynaecological pain and prematureejaculation. In January 2006, Plethora acquired Minneapolis (Mn) based TimmMedical Technologies Inc which markets products for the treatment of erectiledysfunction (ED) to urology clinics through a US-based specialty sales team. TheCompany is headquartered in the UK and is listed on the London Stock Exchange(AIM: PLE) Further information is available at www.plethorasolutions.co.uk About ErecAid(R): ErecAid(R) is already known to be highly effective in erectile dysfunctionpatients who either don't respond to oral drugs, those who cannot tolerate theirside effects or in those patients who are precluded from using phosphodiesteraseinhibitors (PDE-5), e.g. nitrate users or patients with high cardiovascularrisk. Recent clinical evidence (Monga et al, World Congress of Endourology,August 2006) has demonstrated that ErecAid(R) can be of considerable benefit inmaintaining erectile function in men who experience erectile dysfunction afterprostate surgery (penile rehabilitation), a situation where oral drugs may be ofonly limited use. In September 2006, the US FDA gave permission for the OsbonErecAid(R) product to be labeled to create and maintain erections duringrecovery from prostatectomy. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange