Report: Drug makers look to create new erectile dysfunction treatments

NEW YORK — Drug manufacturers are coming up with new versions of their drugs for erectile dysfunction as those drugs’ loss of patent protection and subsequent generic competition draw near, according to published reports.

In an analysis published Wednesday, the New York Times noted that Pfizer had launched a chewable version of Viagra (sildenafil) in Mexico called Viagra Jet, and was planning to market it in other countries as well. Meanwhile, Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline may market a dissolvable version of the drug Levitra (vardenafil) in the United States under the name Staxyn.

The patents covering Viagra expire in 2012 and 2019, while those covering Levitra expire in 2018, according to Food and Drug Administration records.