Petros Pharmaceuticals Successfully Launches AI Tool in Collaboration With Multi-Billion-Dollar Software Provider

Petros Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently announced it has successfully launched its artificial intelligence (AI) tool developed as a result of its collaboration with a multi-billion-dollar software developer. The tool is being integrated into the company’s web app being used for patient self-screening, which it is testing in its recently launched Human Factors study.

Fady Boctor, Petros’ President and Chief Commercial Officer, said “The utilization of AI is a logical progression as we aim to optimize the safe administration of STENDRA (avanafil), in development for OTC availability. In addition, based on our recent interaction with the FDA on our technology approach, we believe the AI component directly addresses requests made by the Agency in order to optimize selection. Ultimately, we believe the AI will help us to gather information to ensure that the patient is appropriate to receive the drug. Importantly, we continue to believe that we have sufficient funding to achieve our development goals as well as significant near-term clinical milestones for STENDRA.”

The Human Factors Study, which incorporates the AI tool, is designed to assess whether the web tool developed by the company can be used safely and effectively by its intended users. Subjects will be asked to perform critical tasks with the web app without any guidance from the study staff. The study is based on applicable FDA guidance for human factors studies. The outcomes from this study will further contribute to discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the need for the Additional Condition of Nonprescription Use (ACNU) with regard to the web app and the Company’s endeavors to develop STENDRA into the first erectile dysfunction medication to go OTC.

Petros Pharmaceuticals is committed to the goal of becoming a leading innovator in the emerging self-care market driving expanded access to key prescription pharmaceuticals as Over-the-Counter treatment options. Currently, Petros is pursuing increased access for its flagship prescription ED therapy, STENDRA, via potential OTC designation. If ultimately approved by the FDA for OTC access, STENDRA may be the first in its class to achieve this marketing status, also establishing company know how as a proven platform for other prospective prescription therapeutics.

The process of switching a prescription medication to over the counter (OTC) first involves the design of a Drug Facts Label (DFL) that is well understood by potential consumers. Then data must show that consumers can make an appropriate decision to use or not to use the product based only upon the information on the DFL and their personal medical history. Then consumers must demonstrate that they can properly use the product based upon the information on the DFL. To accomplish these things, the FDA ordinarily requires a consumer tested OTC DFL. This testing includes conduct of iterative Label Comprehension Studies (LCS) in the general population, Self-Selection Studies (SSS) in a population interested in using the product and in specific populations who may be harmed if they use the product, and usually one Actual Use Trial (AUT) demonstrating safe and appropriate use by consumers in a simulated OTC setting.

The regulations that FDA is currently finalizing introduced Additional Conditions for Nonprescription Use (ACNU) criteria that enable correct self-selection by consumers and may expand OTC access to medications that formerly could only be available by prescription. An ACNU may be an innovative computerized tool, or the additional conditions may use other approaches that support the switch process.