Futura's condom product is aimed at improving the sex lives of healthy men and women. In 2006, the global condom market was worth US$3.3 billion. Our distribution partner Reckitt Benckiser Group plc ("RB"), the makers of Durex®, is the global leader with a 35% market share of the branded condom market.
CSD500, the Condom Safety Device, has been licensed as a condom to be used by healthy men to help maintain a firmer erection during intercourse whilst wearing a condom.
In a double blind clinical study comparing CSD500 against a standard condom co-sponsored by Futura, of those who expressed a preference, a significant proportion of both men and women reported improvements in the firmness of the man's erection during intercourse when using CSD500, compared against a standard condom. A result that was highly statistically significant. Furthermore, of those who expressed a preference, a significant proportion of both men and women also felt that CSD500 increased the penis size and a significant proportion of women reported a longer lasting sexual experience with CSD500.
In the UK, a government report from the Health Protection Agency published in August 2010, indicated that the number of new cases of sexually transmitted infections ("STIs") in the UK continues to rise and that over the past 10 years there has been a substantial increase in diagnoses of most STIs. The 'safe sex' message is not getting through and this may partly be linked to the fact that some healthy men can experience a loss of sensitivity when using a condom. This in turn can contribute to a partial loss of erection during intercourse and therefore discourage some men from always wearing a condom during intercourse.
Market research conducted by Acupoll on behalf of Futura showed that up to 22% of healthy men can sometimes suffer a partial loss of erection during intercourse whilst wearing a condom. This may in part explain the growing trend of men to be reluctant to practise safe sex. The Directors believe that CSD500, by helping men maintain a firmer erection whilst wearing a condom, may help promote condom usage and compliance.
Market research commissioned by Futura has shown that the product has significant commercial potential:
- 88% of existing condom users would be interested in purchasing CSD500
- 49% of non-condom users would be interested in purchasing CSD500
In August 2011 CSD500 was awarded a CE mark. This enables CSD500 to be marketed and sold within the EU as a Class III medical device with an ancillary medicinal substance ("CE mark"). In addition to 29 European territories a number of other non-European territories also recognise the CE mark process.
Under the terms of the commercial agreement between RB and Futura, the launch and marketing of CSD500 within the Durex® range is the responsibility of RB.