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TAP to re-test Viagra rival
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June 30, 2000: 9:52 a.m. ET
Drug maker withdraws FDA application for proposed impotence treatment
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. withdrew its application Friday for a proposed new impotence treatment touted as a potential rival to the highly popular Viagra.
TAP, a joint venture between Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories Inc. (ABT: Research, Estimates) and Japan's Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd., said it is conducting more studies and has more data about the drug's safety and effectiveness to back up its application for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
In April, an FDA advisory panel recommended that the regulatory agency approve the erectile dysfunction treatment, known as Uprima.
But consumer critics have contended the medication caused serious side effects in clinical trials, including potentially dangerous interactions when taken with alcohol, and should not go on the market.
"TAP Is committed to patient care, and it is our hope that by taking the extra time to submit additional data, TAP will be able to provide a treatment with an even stronger product profile for men with ED (erectile dysfunction)," TAP President Thomas Watkins said.
 TAP is one of several drug companies hoping to introduce a rival to Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE: Research, Estimates) blockbuster Viagra, which generates about $1 billion in annual revenues. Germany's Bayer AG, Schering-Plough Corp. (SGP: Research, Estimates) and Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY: Research, Estimates) all are developing their own treatments.
Uprima is designed to work differently from Viagra. TAP has said its drug stimulates mechanisms in the brain to trigger an erection, whereas Viagra is intended to boost blood flow to the penis.
Uprima's effects also can kick in quicker than Viagra, according to TAP's clinical trial findings.
Abbott shares slipped 7/8 to 41 at the beginning of trading Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. 
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