BioSante shares surge on promising contraceptive drug data

Shares of BioSante Pharmaceuticals (BPAX) took a bounce this morning after the developer released mid-stage data demonstrating that its new oral contraceptive pill was linked with an increase in sexual activity among the women taking it.

The drug is designed to increase testosterone levels in women, which are typically reduced as they take traditional oral contraceptives now on the market. Changes in estrogen and progestogen levels attributed to contraceptive pills have been linked to reduced levels of sexual activity, arousability and a greater frequency of rejecting a partner's initiation of sexual activity.

BioSante also is studying a testosterone gel to improve the female libido, an area of drug development that has been put in the spotlight as FDA experts reviewed, and rejected, the new drug flibanserin.

- here's the story from Reuters

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