Back in January we brought you news of an exciting new drug in development which can be used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women. We now have information that the Phase IIb trials for use in men were a success and a meeting has been arranged with the FDA in August to discuss the results and to run through the requirements for the Phase III trials. Bremelanotide tackles erectile dysfunction in a completely different way from the current generation of drugs such as Viagra. Bremelanotide targets the central nervous system and is the first medication in a class known as melanocortin agonists. Because of the way that this new medicine works, it is unlikely to be contraindicated for patients with heart problems or who use nitrates. Although it will be a while before this medication is available to prescribe, initial findings do appear positive.