Medherant, a University of Warwick spin-out and innovator in transdermal drug delivery, announced positive results from its initial Phase 1 clinical trial of the company’s testosterone patch designed specifically for post-menopausal women.

The study, conducted at Hammersmith Medicines Research (HMR) in London, demonstrated that Medherant’s TEPI Patch effectively delivers testosterone through the skin, restoring blood levels to the normal pre-menopausal range. These findings mark a significant step toward offering women a simple, discreet, and effective hormone therapy option that currently does not exist.

As women age, testosterone levels naturally decline. Combined with other hormonal changes during menopause, this reduction contributes to symptoms such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)—a condition characterized by persistently low libido and distress that affects more than one in three menopausal women worldwide. HSDD has a major impact on quality of life and emotional well-being.

Medherant’s testosterone TEPI Patch could become the first-in-class testosterone patch developed specifically for women. Based on the company’s proprietary TEPI Patch technology, it provides excellent adhesion and comfort, ensuring reliable wear throughout daily activities.

Following the success of this initial study, Medherant has received approval from both the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Research Ethics Committee to commence a multiple-dose pharmacokinetic clinical study later this year. This next trial will evaluate repeated doses of the TEPI Patch as the company advances development towards a safe, effective, and accessible treatment for HSDD.

In parallel, Medherant has also received scientific advice from both the MHRA and the Swedish Medical Products Agency to support its regulatory strategy for product registration in the UK and across the EU.

“These latest results represent another major milestone in the development of our testosterone TEPI Patch to address a significant condition faced by many post-menopausal women,” said Dr. Karolina Afors, Medical Director at Medherant. “Our innovative patch technology aims to provide women with a superior, convenient, and much-needed treatment option for testosterone as part of menopause hormone therapy.”

Professor David Haddleton, Chief Scientific Officer at Medherant and Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick, added: “The success of this initial trial paves the way for our upcoming multiple-dose study, which is set to begin dosing before the end of the year. We remain committed to accelerating development and bringing this innovative therapy to market to provide women with both comfort and confidence.”

John Burt, CEO of Medherant, commented: “We are thrilled to be progressing the development of our testosterone patch, bringing us closer to offering women a truly needed and transformative treatment option.”

With strong clinical progress, regulatory support, and recent funding from investors, Medherant is well positioned to deliver a novel and much-needed therapy that addresses a clear unmet global need. The testosterone TEPI Patch represents not only a breakthrough in hormone therapy delivery but also a meaningful step toward improving the quality of life for millions of women worldwide.