ICOS drug's name draws fire
By Eric Fetters Herald Writer
BOTHELL -- ICOS Corp. and Eli Lilly and Co. have hit a potential snag in marketing their erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, as family members with that same name are threatening legal action.
"We don't want our name used," said Brian Cialis, a British-born resident of Surrey, B.C. "Even if it was for a product that gets your hair clean, we wouldn't want our name on it."
The fact that Cialis is the brand name chosen for a possible rival to Viagra makes the family even more upset, he said.
The drug -- scientifically known as tadalafil -- is not being sold to patients yet but it is nearing final approval in Europe. Cialis, which in clinical trials worked faster and for a longer period than Viagra in men, could gain the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval in the second half of 2003, according to Bothell-based ICOS.
The name dispute came to light during the past two weeks when members of the Cialis family in Britain took their complaints to the press there. Albert Cialis of Kent, England, was quoted as saying the drug's moniker will mean ridicule for the family.
Brian Cialis, Albert's cousin, said he has repeatedly contacted ICOS' larger drug development partner, Indiana-based Eli Lilly, about his outrage. He hasn't been encouraged by the response so far.
In a June letter to the family, Eli Lilly indicated the companies were considering whether to adopt "a variation of the Cialis trademark."
"We do not and cannot guarantee that the trademark will in fact be changed, or that any change would be global in effect, nor are we obligated to change our Cialis trademark," stated the letter from Robert Brown, Lilly's global marketing director.
Brian Cialis said legal action is a possibility, although the family probably couldn't afford an expensive fight against the drug companies.
Lilly referred calls on the matter to ICOS. Lacy Fitzpatrick, spokeswoman at ICOS headquarters, said the companies are sympathetic with the family's feelings. Read more