Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTPI), a leading provider of therapeutics for men's health, today announces that Mohit Khera, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H. has joined the company's steering committee to develop expanded patient access initiatives for STENDRA® (avanafil) product, an oral medication used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Mohit Khera, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., specializes in male infertility, male and female sexual dysfunction, and testosterone replacement therapy. Dr. Khera has dedicated his clinical and research efforts to three main areas: testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie's disease. Soon after completing my fellowship he started the Laboratory for Andrology Research. His laboratory focuses on basic science research on testosterone and its effects on the prostate, stem cells to treat erectile dysfunction, the effects of finasteride on sexual function, and genetic markers of hypogonadism. In his laboratory he has had the opportunity to train many residents and research fellows. In addition to his basic science research, he has initiated numerous FDA approved clinical trials. His basic science and clinic experiences have allowed him to thus far give over 250 lectures at scientific meetings, publish over 100 articles in peer reviewed journals, complete 15 book chapters, and edit and write two books all in the field of sexual medicine. Dr. Khera freely shares his time and knowledge with the general public. He has been voted one of Houston's Best Doctors numerous times by Health and Sport Fitness Magazine and by Houstonia Magazine and is a frequent guest on such TV programs as Fox News' "Ask the Doctor." He also writes a blog on Men's Health for the Houston Chronicle Newspaper.
"I believe there is considerable opportunity to expand the access of erectile dysfunction medication beyond what we currently see in the United States. We have seen other medications go over-the-counter in other countries and I believe that an approach is possible to create a non-Rx scenario in the near future," said Dr. Khera. "This steering committee provides the opportunity to forge a strategic path forward to improve the lives of men with ED by potentially allowing them to access medication without a prescription."
Dr. Khera is the Professor of Urology and Director of the Laboratory for Andrology Research at the McNair Medical Institute at Baylor College of Medicine. He is also the Medical Director of the Executive Health Program at Baylor. Dr. Khera earned his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University. He subsequently earned his Master's in Business Administration and his Master's in Public Health from Boston University. He received his MD from The University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio and completed his residency training in the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine. He then went on to complete a one-year Fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery.
"We are honored to welcome a key opinion leader of Dr. Khera's stature to our steering committee, as he brings a combination of unparalleled expertise in men's sexual health, considerable experience in working with landmark therapeutic innovations, and business acumen, all of which make him an important component in the development of our path forward," commented Fady Boctor, Petros Pharmaceutical's President and Chief Commercial Officer. "We look forward to Dr. Khera's contributions to the steering committee's activities."
About STENDRA (avanafil)
Stendra® (avanafil), originally launched by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals prior to that company's sale to Endo Pharmaceuticals, is an oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of ED that can be dosed as early as ~15 minutes before sexual activity, can be taken with or without food, and is well tolerated, with a rate of discontinuation (2.0%) equivalent to placebo (1.7%) in clinical trials. Stendra® was designed and developed expressly for erectile dysfunction. The Company recently undertook a relaunch of Stendra®, generating gross revenues of approximately $30 million in 2019. Petros intends to accelerate the relaunch of Stendra® with a well-funded commercial organization and refocused strategy. Currently, Stendra® is covered for 75% of commercially insured lives, with a co-pay as low as $0.
About Petros Pharmaceuticals
Petros Pharmaceuticals is committed to the goal of becoming a world-leading specialized men's health company by identifying, developing, acquiring, and commercializing innovative therapeutics for men's health issues including, but not limited to erectile dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, psychosexual and psychosocial ailments, Peyronie's disease, hormone health and substance use disorders.
