12 January 2026
Futura Medical plc
("Futura", "the Group" or the "Company")
Positive results from WSD4000 Early Feasibility Study
Highly statistically significant improvement achieved in female sexual function
Futura Medical (AIM: FUM), the consumer healthcare Group behind Eroxon® that specialises in the development and global commercialisation of innovative and clinically proven sexual health products, is pleased to report positive results of the WSD4000 Early Feasibility Study ('EFS') which comprised of 12 women suffering from some degree of sexual dysfunction.
The positive trends and high response metrics demonstrate that the product has the potential to deliver a significant improvement in impaired sexual function in women. Given the lack of known regulatory-approved OTC treatment available for this condition in women, this represents a significant opportunity for WSD4000 globally.
EFS results
Whilst the size of the EFS study was relatively modest, the results are highly encouraging and give the Company confidence to proceed to the next steps of designing a Phase 3 clinical study which will be further informed by a small in-clinic sham / placebo controlled sensory study (results expected in mid 2026), and a 200 subject home user study (results expected in mid 2026).
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Using the internationally recognised Total Female Sexual Function Index ('FSFI') scale, a highly statistically significant improvement over baseline was achieved in overall sexual function |
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On average, an improvement in overall sexual function of 6.35 units over baseline (pre-treatment) in the FSFI scale was achieved which exceeded the minimal clinically important difference of 4 units defined by expert scientific consensus |
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Statistically significant improvements were achieved in five of the six FSFI domains: sexual arousal, lubrication, pain improvement, ability to orgasm and sexual satisfaction |
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Judged to be effective in both pre- and post-menopausal women |
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Using the Female Sexual Encounter Profile ('FSEP') metrics, meaningful improvements were achieved in all measures across the 56 sexual encounters recorded: |
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o 64.2% of uses were described as experiencing moderate or high desire |
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o 83.9% of uses reported satisfaction with arousal |
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o 71.4% of uses reported enough lubrication for comfortable intercourse |
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o 69.6% of uses resulted in orgasm |
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o 78.6% of uses reported moderate or high arousal |
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o 91.1% reported conditions appropriate for a satisfactory sexual encounter |
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Every use of the gel (56 in total) resulted in a genital sensation which occurred on average in less than five minutes in 9 out of 10 uses |
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The product was well tolerated. 58% subjects experienced a mild to moderate but transient "burning" sensation which in general led to higher efficacy levels indicating that subjects regarded this as a sensory signal that "the product was working". No subjects discontinued use of the product. |
About the EFS
The EFS of the WSD4000 prototype followed the Food and Drug Administration's ('FDA') guidance from a recent pre-submission meeting and was conducted to Good Clinical Practice ('GCP') standards and ethical principles for medical research. An EFS study was defined by FDA as a pre-requisite for the first in class (De Novo) medical device with OTC classification.
12 subjects were recruited into the study with 11 completing all elements: five pre-menopausal and six post-menopausal. After initial screening for suitability, subjects were formally diagnosed by using the FSFI instrument which is a fully validated self-completed questionnaire that has become the gold standard and most widely used measuring instrument in this scientific field1.
When entering the study, the subjects were measured pre-treatment at a baseline after four sexual encounters using the FSFI and measured post-treatment after four weeks and a minimum of four sexual encounters. In addition, subjects recorded their experience after each post-treatment sexual encounter using the FSEP instrument, another validated and widely used questionnaire.
About WSD4000
WSD4000 is a topical treatment designed for sexual dysfunction in women. Currently, no regulatory approved topical treatment for sexual dysfunction in women is available over the counter. WSD4000 has the potential to be an effective, breakthrough treatment for the common symptoms associated with sexual dysfunction, such as impaired arousal, lubrication and desire.
The market for WSD4000
According to published data, between 40% and 50% of women experience at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction2. Recently, the Company commissioned IPSOS to undertake market research in the US in 1,000 women, and this showed that around 60% have suffered from at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction in the last twelve months. In addition, only one in four women seek professional help and despite their efforts, many women continue to struggle with symptoms of sexual dysfunction with few women (13%) experiencing an improvement in symptoms over time and 37% getting worse over time3.
Ken James, Executive Director and Head of R&D, commented: "We are delighted with the results from the Early Feasibility Study which show clear and positive trends, demonstrating that the product can deliver a significant improvement in impaired sexual function in women. With our specialism in developing and bringing to market topically delivered gel formulations for improved sexual health, we believe we can successfully build on these results and provide a treatment for a condition that affects a significant number of women worldwide.
We look forward to updating the market over the coming months on the next steps for WSD4000, including results of the placebo and home user studies as a precursor to designing a Phase 3 clinical study, as well as preparation of product positioning, packaging and the launch strategy."
1Meston et al, Scoring and Interpretation of the FSFI. What can be learnt from 20 years of use? J Sex Med 2020 Jan 17(1):17-25
2Source: McCabe MP, Sharlip ID, Lewis R, Atalla E, Balon R etal. Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement from the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015. J Sex Med. 2016 Feb;13(2):144-52
3Ipsos research carried out on behalf of Futura Medical in the USA amongst 1,003 women, 2024
The information communicated in this announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
Contacts:
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Futura Medical plc
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Alex Duggan Chief Executive Officer Angela Hildreth Finance Director and COO
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investor.relations@futuramedical.com +44 (0)1483 685 670
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Panmure Liberum Nominated Adviser and Broker |
Emma Earl, Will Goode, Mark Rogers (Corporate Finance)
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+44 (0)20 3100 2000
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Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd - Broker |
Guy McDougall, Andrew Thacker |
+44 (0) 20 3657 0050 |
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Alma Strategic Communications |
Rebecca Sanders-Hewett, Sam Modlin, Sarah Peters |
+44 (0)20 3405 0205 futura@almastrategic.com |
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Notes to Editors:
Futura Medical plc (AIM: FUM) is the developer of innovative sexual health products, including lead product Eroxon® and development products WSD4000 and Eroxon® Intense. Our core strength lies in our research, development and commercialisation of topically delivered gel formulations in sexual health products.
Sexual health issues are prevalent in both men and women. Erectile Dysfunction ("ED") impacts 1 in 5 men globally across all adult age brackets, with approximately half of all men over 40 experiencing ED and 25% of all new diagnoses being in men under 40. Around 60% of women experience at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction, and only one in four women seek professional help, and remain chronically underserved.
Eroxon®, Futura's clinically proven lead product, has been developed for the treatment of ED. The highly differentiated product, which is the only topical gel treatment for ED available over the counter and helps men get an erection in ten minutes, addresses significant unmet needs in the ED market. Eroxon® has been nominated for a number of healthcare industry awards and has won two to-date.
Futura has distribution partners in place in a number of major consumer markets including Haleon in the US, the largest market for ED in the world, and Cooper Consumer Health in Europe.
The WSD4000 is a prototype designed for the symptoms of impaired sexual response and function in women. There is currently no regulatory approved OTC treatment available for impaired sexual response and function in women. WSD4000 has the potential to be an effective, breakthrough treatment for the common symptoms associated with impaired sexual response and function, such as lack of desire, arousal and lubrication.