The Female Health Company (“FHC” or the “Company”) manufactures, markets and sells the FC2 female condom, the only currently available product under a woman’s control that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FC2 provides dual protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (“STIs”), including HIV/AIDS. In October 2009, the Company completed the transition from its first generation product, FC1, to its second generation product, FC2, and production of FC1 ceased. Although FC1 production has ceased, the Company retains ownership of certain world-wide rights to FC1, as well as various patents, regulatory approvals and other intellectual property related to FC1.The Female Health Company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ-CM stock exchange under the symbol "FHCO".
FC Female Condoms (FC) have undergone extensive testing for efficacy, safety and acceptability in the United States and many countries around the world. Certain studies have shown that having FC available allows women and men to access more prevention options and results in an increase in protected sex acts and a decrease in STIs, including HIV/AIDS.
FC have high acceptability among both men and women in many countries.
The FC2 Female Condom® (FC2), which is distributed primarily by public health organizations and donor groups in about 100 countries around the world. The Company owns certain worldwide rights to the FC2 Female Condom®, including patents that have been issued in Europe, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Japan and are pending in various other countries. FC2 Female Condom® is the only available FDA-approved product controlled by a woman that offers dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy. The World Health Organization (WHO) has cleared FC2 for purchase by U.N. agencies.