Arena Pharmaceuticals Announces Notification of Tentative September 16th FDA Advisory Committee Meeting to Review Lorcaserin for Weight Management
SAN DIEGO, June 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the company of the tentative scheduling of an Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting on September 16, 2010, for the review of the lorcaserin New Drug Application (NDA). Lorcaserin is Arena's internally discovered and developed drug candidate for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, and it is intended for overweight patients with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition and obese patients.
"We are focused on obtaining the FDA's approval of lorcaserin, and have been preparing for this anticipated advisory committee meeting," said Jack Lief, Arena's President and Chief Executive Officer. "With its unique combination of safety, tolerability and efficacy, we believe that lorcaserin, if approved, has the potential to serve as first-line therapy to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss in a well-tolerated manner."
Arena submitted the lorcaserin NDA on December 22, 2009, and the FDA assigned a PDUFA date, the target date for the agency to complete its review of the application, of October 22, 2010. Confirmation and details of the meeting will be published in the Federal Register about six to eight weeks prior to the scheduled meeting date. The Federal Register notice will be available at the following website: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/ohrms/index.cfm.
Lorcaserin New Drug Application
The lorcaserin New Drug Application is based on a data package from lorcaserin's development program that includes 18 clinical trials totaling 8,576 patients. The pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial program, BLOOM (Behavioral modification and Lorcaserin for Overweight and Obesity Management) and BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and LOrcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management), evaluated nearly 7,200 patients treated for up to two years. In both trials, lorcaserin produced statistically significant weight loss with excellent safety and tolerability.
About Lorcaserin
Lorcaserin is a novel single agent that represents the first in a new class of selective serotonin 2C receptor agonists. The serotonin 2C receptor is expressed in the brain, including the hypothalamus, an area involved in the control of appetite and metabolism. Stimulation of this receptor is strongly associated with feeding behavior and satiety. Arena has patents that cover lorcaserin in the US and other jurisdictions, which in most cases are capable of continuing into 2023 without taking into account any patent term extensions or other exclusivity Arena might obtain.
About Arena Pharmaceuticals
Arena is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing oral drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors, an important class of validated drug targets, in four major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Arena's most advanced drug candidate, lorcaserin, is intended for weight management, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, and has completed a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial program. Arena has filed an NDA for lorcaserin, and the FDA has assigned a PDUFA date of October 22, 2010, for review of the application.
Arena Pharmaceuticals® and Arena® are registered service marks of the company. "APD" is an abbreviation for Arena Pharmaceuticals Development.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the advancement, therapeutic indication and use, safety, efficacy, tolerability and regulatory review and approval of lorcaserin; the advisory committee for the review of the lorcaserin NDA; lorcaserin's commercial and other potential, including to serve as first-line therapy to help patients achieve sustainable weight loss in a well-tolerated manner; the timing for the FDA to complete its review of the lorcaserin NDA; availability of information in the Federal Register; lorcaserin's patent coverage; and Arena's focus, goals, strategy, research and development programs, and ability to develop compounds and commercialize drugs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, regulatory authorities or advisors may not find data from Arena's clinical trials and other studies sufficient for regulatory approval; the timing and ability of Arena to receive regulatory approval for its drug candidates; the timing, success and cost of Arena's lorcaserin program and other of its research and development programs; results of clinical trials and other studies are subject to different interpretations and may not be predictive of future results; clinical trials and other studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner Arena or others expect or at all; Arena's ability to enter into agreements to develop or commercialize its compounds or programs; Arena's ability to commercialize lorcaserin with a pharmaceutical company or independently; Arena's ability to obtain adequate funds; Arena's ability to obtain and defend its patents; and the timing and receipt of payments and fees, if any, from Arena's collaborators. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena's forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena's judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.
Contact: Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
Media Contact: Russo Partners |
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Jack Lief |
David Schull, President |
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President and CEO |
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858.717.2310 |
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Cindy McGee |
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Manager, IR and Corporate Communications |
Anthony J. Russo, Ph.D., CEO |
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858.453.7200, ext. 1479 |
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212.845.4251 |
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www.arenapharm.com |
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SOURCE Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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