Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today announced that VivaGel^® BV has been officially launched in Australia by Aspen Pharmacare (Aspen) as Fleurstat BVgel. The product has undergone distribution across Australia and is already available in some pharmacies. It will be progressively rolled-out nationally over the coming weeks. This is the first launch of VivaGel^® BV in the world and further launches by Mundipharma are expected in Europe in May/June this year.

VivaGel^® BV (Fleurstat BVgel) is a novel, non-antibiotic therapy for treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and relief of symptoms. BV is the most common vaginal condition worldwide and twice as common as thrush. VivaGel^® BV (Fleurstat BVgel) is an Australian innovation –invented, fully developed and taken through to commercialisation by Starpharma.

BV is a troublesome and often recurrent condition that causes unpleasant vaginal odour and discharge symptoms that have significant social impacts for women. BV has also been associated with a range of other serious reproductive health-related medical problems. Until now, women have only been able to access antibiotic-based treatments for BV, which are only available by prescription from a GP or specialist.

Fleurstat BVgel is a non-antibiotic therapy and is the only BV treatment available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies, without the need for a prescription. Fleurstat BVgel is being marketed in Australia by Aspen.

Aspen’s sales and marketing activities will include a series of healthcare practitioner and direct to consumer programs.

Dr Jackie Fairley, Starpharma CEO, commented: “We are very pleased to have achieved the important milestone of first launch of VivaGel^® BV in the world, in collaboration with our Australian partner, Aspen. Given this is the first of many launches for this breakthrough BV product globally, this is a very exciting period for the company. VivaGel^® BV, marketed in Australia as Fleurstat BVgel, is a real success story for Australian innovation. It’s exceedingly rare to have a global healthcare product developed by an Australian company all the way from concept to commercialisation, let alone with the first global launch in Australia”.

Rob Barnes, Head of Nutritionals & Consumer OTC, Aspen Australia, commented: “Aspen is proud to be the first company in the world to launch this breakthrough BV product and to make Fleurstat BVgel available to Australian patients. We’re delighted to be associated with such an innovative product, especially seeing as it’s an Australian discovery. This will be the first time Australian women are able to purchase a BV product over-the-counter in pharmacies”.

Download ASX Announcement: First VivaGel BV launch globally in Australia by Aspen (pdf file, 128kb)

_{If using, or planning to use Fleurstat BVgel 
See your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or recur, or your condition worsens, as these symptoms may be indicative of another infection, including STI, and if you consider you may be at risk or if you are planning to be or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.}