PPT Slide
The contraceptive market is estimated to have had worldwide sales of $2.9 billion in 1997.
The market is dominated by oral contraceptive pills. There are no contraceptive transdermal
patches currently marketed. Clinical studies suggest that the high doses of orally administered
estrogen are associated with an increase in adverse side-effects, including the risk of
endometrial cancer. In addition, the daily requirement of oral contraceptives occasionally
results in missed therapy and potentially unwanted pregnancy.
The hormone replacement market is large, with $1.33 billion in worldwide sales in
1997, and is expected to grow as more women reach the age of menopause.
Cygnus has two hormone replacement products in development: a 7-day estrogen
patch, for which the New Drug Application (“NDA”) has been submitted to the
FDA, and the European Dossier has been submitted to the European authorities; and
a 3.5-day estrogen/progestin combination patch, which is currently in Phase 3