LifeMD and ASCEND Therapeutics Launch Integrated Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth Model for Hormone Therapy

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LifeMD, Inc. (Nasdaq: LFMD), a leading provider of virtual primary care services, today launched a partnership with ASCEND Therapeutics US, LLC, a subsidiary of Besins Healthcare and a specialty pharmaceutical company concentrating on women's health, to provide integrated telehealth services to improve access to EstroGel 0.06% (estradiol gel). LifeMD’s telehealth services are now accessible on ASCEND Therapeutics’ brand website, www.estrogel.com, allowing patients to connect with a LifeMD affiliated provider.

“This agreement with ASCEND Therapeutics, a global market leader improving women’s lives with a focus on innovative hormone therapies, is an example of an increasing number of pharmaceutical partnerships applying LifeMD technology and aptitude in consumer healthcare engagement,” said Justin Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LifeMD. “By providing patient access to a high-quality physician at the moment they are searching for treatment, we are removing barriers to care – like lengthy appointment wait times and risk of inconsistent care by less experienced practitioners – while also improving health outcomes by providing on-demand and ongoing access to primary care providers.”

Besins Healthcare is a global leader in hormone therapy with a 33% share of the global progesterone market, which is poised to surpass $2.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 13%.¹ Besins Healthcare is also recognized as the world leader in testosterone replacement therapy, a market that is expected to reach $2.2 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 4.6%.² ASCEND Therapeutics’ EstroGel is an FDA-approved bioidentical estrogen gel applied to the skin — one pump, applied to one arm, once a day — that can help manage some of the symptoms of menopause.³ Among surveyed women, 89% prefer EstroGel over their previous hormone therapy.⁴

“Menopause is a natural part of aging, but countless women are dealing with symptoms that are having a negative impact on their daily lives. We are excited about our partnership with LifeMD, as it will provide a digital front door to our patients, promoting access to healthcare solutions that restore, restart and regulate fundamental female body processes,” said Cyrille Labourel, Chief Executive Officer of ASCEND Therapeutics. “We look forward to a continued partnership with LifeMD, including similar market strategies in support of AndroGel 1% and 1.62%, and a potential joint venture that would provide access to a broader set of men’s and women’s hormonal therapies.”