Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:RNN), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, today announced that it will initiate a Phase IIb clinical trial for ZoraxelTM in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

The Phase IIb study is designed to assess Zoraxel's efficacy in approximately 225 male subjects, ages 18 to 65, with ED. The double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 12-week study will include the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) survey, and quality of life study endpoints. The Phase IIb study is expected to begin in the second half of 2010 and the preliminary data is expected to be available in 2011. The study will be conducted at multiple sites in the U.S.

Rexahn's decision to move forward with the Phase IIb trial is supported by data from a Phase IIa proof of concept study of 39 ED patients treated with Zoraxel. The Phase IIa study was completed in May 2009 and demonstrated that Zoraxel consistently improved IIEF scores of treated subjects. Furthermore, the study found that treated subjects demonstrated a dose dependent treatment effect with improved erectile function and quality of life measures. Zoraxel was also found to be safe and well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.

About Zoraxel™

Zoraxel is being developed as an orally administered tablet for on-demand use, and is one of three clinical stage compounds being developed by Rexahn. Zoraxel has a well established and excellent safety record in humans and studies demonstrate a lack of severe side effects associated with current standard of care phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitor ED drugs, such as priapism, severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, sudden death, increased intraocular pressure and sudden hearing loss. Zoraxel is a centrally acting, dual enhancer of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, whereas PDE-5 inhibitors work in peripheral blood vessels. Zoraxel may be a more effective ED treatment for patients who are responsive or unresponsive to PDE-5 inhibitors.

Source
Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.