Peptonic Medical files patent application for the treatment of fungal infections and bacterial vaginosis

Peptonic Medical AB (publ) (‘Peptonic’ or ‘Company’) announces today that the Company has submitted an application for patent protection for the treatment of genital fungal infections and bacterial vaginosis with a modified VagiVital® formulation. The background to this application is i.a. positive results from in vitro studies showing an effective antifungal effect. Women suffering from fungal infections have spontaneously used VagiVital® and reported good results. In the new formulation, the properties that are judged to contribute to the positive treatment effect have been strengthened.

– This is an exciting further development of the VagiVital® formulation, says Johan Inborr, CEO of Peptonic Medical. There are still no effective and user-friendly antibiotic-free treatments for vaginal fungal infections and bacterial vaginosis. That is why we want to invest in developing one.

The company is now investigating the prerequisites for conducting a clinical study with women who have been diagnosed with a fungal infection and bacterial vaginosis.

VagiVital® is a CE-marked product and approved for the treatment of symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy (dry mucous membranes in the vagina).

The patent application has been filed with the Patent and Registration Office in Sweden.

For more information, please contact;
Johan Inborr, CEO
Mobile: +46 708 853 893
E-mail:  johan.inborr@peptonicmedical.se

This information is information that Peptonic Medical AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 9th November, 2020.


About genital fungal infections

Genital fungal infection affects about three out of four women at some point in their lives. The number of women who get recurrent fungal infections is increasing. It is a harmless condition that in many cases goes away without treatment.

There are many different reasons for genital fungal infection such as prolonged and irregular menstruation, intense washing of the genitals, hormonal changes (during pregnancy), diabetes and weakened immune system – the latter is common after, for example, antibiotic treatment. In addition to the “nasty” bacteria that are intended to be treated with antibiotics, the beneficial lactic acid bacteria are also eliminated. This leads to an imbalance in the bacterial flora of the vagina, which can give the fungus a foothold.

Common symptoms of fungal infection are intense itching, redness, burning and sometimes yellowish-white, odorless discharge. Fungal spores can be transmitted during intercourse. However, it is not certain that this will develop into an infection. Bacterial imbalance, also called bacterial vaginosis, can affect women of all ages. The exact cause is not known. It is not known if it is due to an infection or if it is a changed environment in the vagina that affects the natural balance. Excessive hygiene, antibiotic treatment or prolonged menstruation can cause an imbalance. Tight pants, thongs and heavily perfumed soaps can also have a negative effect. (source: https://www.doktorn.com/artikel/svamp-i-underlivet-eller-bakteriell-obalans-orsak-symtom-och-behandling/)

Global vaginal fungal infections treatment market is estimated to be valued at US$ 987.2 million in 2020 and is expected to increase to US$ 1,420.1 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.3% during 2020-2027. (Source: Report on Global Vaginal Fungi Infections Treatment Market by Coherent Market Insights, 2020).

According to an article published in Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) in February 2020, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is the most prevalent human candidal infection and around 75% women are affected by it least once in their lifetime. Furthermore, around 8% women across the globe suffer from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). 

Topical segment in the global vaginal fungi infections treatment market is estimated to be valued at US$ 271.1 Mn in 2020 and is expected to increase to US$ 357.6 Mn by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. It is estimated to account for 27.5% market share in 2020 and is expected to account for 25.2% share by 2027. Topical segment includes antifungal creams and ointments indicated for the treatment of vaginal fungi infections. (Source: Report on Global Vaginal Fungi Infections Treatment Market by Coherent Market Insights, 2020).

About  VagiVital®

VagiVital® is a patent pending hormone free self-care product for the treatment of vaginal atrophy and vaginal dryness. The product has been tested in randomised clinical studies (vaginal atrophy) with very positive results both for objective (vaginal pH and proportion of superficial cells in the vaginal mucosa) and subjective (most bothersome symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation/itching, dyspareunia and dysuria) parameters. The magnitude of symptom relief is on par with that demonstrated with e.g. prescription estrogen based products on the market today. It was very well tolerated and caused no serious adverse effects. 

VagiVital® was launched in Sweden as a non-prescription self-care product in July 2018 (see www.vagivital.com).  

About Peptonic Medical

Peptonic Medical is an innovative Swedish medical development company. Its vision is to offer safe and effective treatments and relief for women specific diseases and medical conditions, and products that contribute to increased sustainability and better quality of life.

VagiVital® is a registered trademark of Peptonic Medical. The product is hormone free and is being commercialised for the non-prescription use for the treatment of vaginal atrophy (VA) and vaginal dryness. The pipeline of Peptonic Medical also includes Vagitocin®, which is an oxytocin-based vaginal gel for the treatment of VA. This product candidate is in clinical development phase 2. The development of Vagitocin® is on hold pending additional data on i.a. the mechanism of action.

Since July 2014, the Peptonic Medical share has been traded on the Spotlight Stock Exchange (www.spotlightstockmarket.com, ticker: PMED) in Stockholm, Sweden. 

For more information:www.peptonicmedical.com