Strong data on Bayer's Testogel and Nebido

At the 22nd annual meeting of the European Association of Urology, held in Berlin, Germany, local drug major Bayer Schering Pharma AG presented strong data on its testosterone gel, Testogel, and Nebido, an intramuscular depot formulation of testosterone undecanoaten.

Bayer noted that low testosterone levels can have a serious effect on the quality of life of men and are commonly associated with a decrease in libido, lean body mass and bone density, as well as an increase in visceral fat, and disturbances in well-being and mood. Testogel was evaluated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study, in 365 patients with decreased testosterone levels and hypogonadal symptoms. According to the firm, the transdermal 1% hydroalcoholic gel restored testosterone levels in hypogonadal men to normal range and had a statistically, significant effect on lean body mass versus placebo. Body composition was also favorably influenced by Testogel, the firm noted.

In a separate presentation at the EAU conference, data from an open-label prospective, one-arm study in 96 hypogonadal patients with a mean age of 48.6 years, showed that Nebido not only improved the lipid pattern (reduction of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) as well as glycemia control but also improved psychological, somatic and sexual symptoms of testosterone deficiency.