Apricus Cuts Workforce, Axes Fispemifene Clinical Program

Apricus Biosciences has cut 30 percent of its workforce — including part of its executive team — following an unsuccessful Phase 2b trial evaluating fispemifene in men with secondary hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction.

Apricus pulled the plug on the 160-patient fispemifene study last week after the cream failed to meet primary and secondary endpoints related to erectile function and low libido.

The company says it plans to focus on commercial and regulatory actions involving its erectile dysfunction product Vitaros, while deprioritizing all other clinical programs in its pipeline. The drugmaker licensed the U.S. commercial and development rights for Vitaros from Allergan last fall.