Condom Brands are on the Rise

Sick of Trojans and whatever else you’ve found in your pharmacy’s aisles to aid your to pregnancy-free sexual adventures? Well, there may soon be a new condom in town and it’s coming all the way from China. 

The Financial Times reports that Chinese condom maker Safedom is “seeking European partners or acquisitions as part of a bid to go global.” The company is, um, rising fast with 200 million sales expected this year in China and sales of a billion next year, the FT reports; now it's eyeing Bangladesh and African countries for expansion.

Safedom’s CEO, Brian Fu, recently visited the United Kingdom to meet with potential partners, and funding “will either come from existing shareholders, bank loans or possibly through an overseas stock market listing,” Fu told the paper.

Of course, condom makers have an edge in China, where couples are (officially) still subject to the country's controversial one child policy. Still, Fu is taking his product global, though he says that his company’s strength is “in manufacturing and technology,” so he will look to have “branding and marketing expertise” brought in from outside sources.

Meanwhile, a British "Viagra in a condom" concept is making waves for "unprofitable" drugmaker Futura Medical.

According to Bloomberg News, "Durex condoms made by Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc will contain a dose of Futura’s Zanifil gel inside the tip, boosting blood flow within the penis. The product results in firmer, larger and longer-lasting erections for men who may find wearing condoms challenging, according to Futura."

“It’s essentially Viagra in a condom,” said Daniel Mahony, a shareholder in Futura, about the co-branded condom partnership. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Reckitt tries to either buy the whole company or buy that royalty stream out at some point.”

Futura Chief Executive Officer James Barder declined to comment on any discussions with Reckitt Benckiser. While the Futura company isn’t for sale, its CEO James Barder commented to Bloomberg that “ultimately, we’re looking to optimize and maximize our return at the appropriate time.”