VivaGel condoms to go on sale this month

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) and Ansell (ASX:ANN) have had their VivaGel coated condoms approved for sale in Australia.

The VivaGel condom has been added to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), the final step required for a market launch to Australia.

Ansell has manufactured launch supplies and plans to launch the product under the LifeStyles Dual Protect brand in Australia this month.

VivaGel is Starpharma’s antiviral compound gel shown in lab studies to achieve viral inactivation rates of up to 99.9%. The gel is also being developed for the management and prevention of recurrent bacterial vaginosis.

The VivaGel condom is the only condom that incorporates an antiviral compound as a lubricant, and Australia will be the first market launch for the product.

Starpharma will have co-branding on the packaging and will be entitled to a percentage of sales of the condoms.

Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley said consumer interest in the VivaGel condoms is high.

“The reaction on social media [has been] quite extraordinary, with the product reaching an audience of more than 10 million in the days following the announcement [of the condom’s certification with the TGA] through extensive social media commentary,” she said.

“The launch of the LifeStyles Dual Protect condom will represent the first marketed product for Starpharma’s VivaGel  franchise, and the first of three women’s health and sexual wellness VivaGel products products that are in advanced stages of development.”

Starpharma (ASX:SPL) shares were trading 0.74% lower at $0.675 as of around 1.30 pm on Friday.