The research contract between ESAI and LA BioMed calls for basic and pre-clinical research on the drug over three years.

"ESAI assumes, based upon preliminary results, that a positive pre-clinical outcome for erectile dysfunction with the KRONOS IV compounds could be obtained in as few as 12 months," said Dr. Sapse. "If that occurs, ESAI then plans to proceed with clinical studies as carried out previously with other off-label drugs in three groups of ten patients each. If successful, this would enable physicians to prescribe KRONOS IV as an off-label drug in the treatment of erectile dysfunction."

Sapse said ESAI also intends to continue to collaborate with LABioMed within the current contract with pre-clinical testing and basic research to provide the answers on how KRONOS IV works locally on the regeneration of the smooth muscle, nerve terminals and various other types of cells in the penile corpora cavernosa, or erectile tissue. In addition, the research will seek to identify both the specific cellular targets for this action and any potential systemic effects throughout the body.

Source: Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed)