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German study finds patients prefer Icos' impotence drug Cialis

By Luke Timmerman
Seattle Times business reporter

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The study could provide competitive ammunition for Bothell-based Icos, the creator of Cialis, and its partner, Eli Lilly. Cialis has already grabbed more than one-fourth of the impotence drug market since it was introduced in Europe in February, and it is hoping for approval in the U.S. by year's end.

The German study was conducted by Dr. Hartmut Porst, a well-known urologist in Hamburg and an associate professor at the University of Bonn. Porst switched 226 of his patients from Viagra to Cialis then asked which one they preferred and why.

Porst found that 149 patients preferred Cialis; 48 preferred Viagra; and 29 had no preference.

The men said they preferred Cialis because it is effective, lasts longer and has fewer side effects.

The study, which is ongoing, intends to examine 900 patients.

The results were presented in a news conference arranged by Eli Lilly at the meeting of the German Urological Association. Although Porst was not paid for this study, he has had financial relationships in the past with the makers of all three impotence drugs, by conducting clinical trials, said Lacy Fitzpatrick, a spokeswoman for Icos.

Porst intends to present the findings at a medical meeting later this year, the European Society for Sexual Medicine, said Fitzpatrick.

Pfizer spokesman Daniel Watts said the study was being overhyped. Cialis did well "out of the gate," Watts said, but enthusiasm for it in Europe seems to have tapered off.

"This is a very small study — it's not scientifically rigorous," Watts said. "It can't be projected beyond that practice."

Viagra holds a big lead in market share over Cialis and its other rival, Levitra. Market-research firm IMS Health reported that Viagra had 56 percent of the German market in July; Cialis, 29 percent; and Levitra, 15 percent.

Luke Timmerman: 206-515-5644 or ltimmerman@seattletimes.com

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