Data on VIVUS' QNEXA to be Presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced that data on QNEXA®, an investigational drug candidate, will be featured in a poster presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, being held November 13-17, 2010 in Chicago, IL.

Following are details about the presentation:

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010

The poster presentation session will occur on Wednesday, November 17, 2010, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in Hall A2 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.  Dr. Michael H. Davidson will be at the poster (Board # 2036; Abstract # 13009) from 9:30 to 11:00 am.  

About QNEXA Controlled Release Capsules

QNEXA [kyoo-nek-suh] is an investigational drug being developed to address weight loss, type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. QNEXA is a once-a-day, proprietary, oral, controlled-release formulation of low-dose phentermine and topiramate, which together decrease appetite and increase satiety (the sense of feeling full), the two main mechanisms that impact eating behavior. In phase 2 and 3 clinical data to date, patients taking QNEXA have demonstrated statistically significant weight loss, glycemic control, and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, when used in combination with a diet and lifestyle modification program.

About Obesity

Approximately one-third of American adults (more than 72 million people) are obese, and many more are overweight with co-morbidities. Obesity is a chronic condition defined by having excess body fat. Obesity significantly increases the risk of developing many different diseases and health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and osteoarthritis. According to a report in The Lancet in 2009, morbid obesity shortens life expectancy by approximately 10 years, and moderate obesity shortens it by approximately 3 years.

In August of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called attention to the "major public health problem" of obesity by issuing a national report citing the lack of progress against goals established 10 years ago by the federal government. The CDC reported that all 50 states failed to meet the "Healthy People 2010" goal of lowering the obesity rate to 15%, and some states actually reported a significant increase in obesity rates.

About VIVUS

VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies to address obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes and male sexual health. The company's lead product in clinical development, QNEXA®, completed phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of obesity and an NDA was filed and accepted by the FDA.  VIVUS received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the FDA and at the present time is preparing a written response to address the FDA's requests for information included in the CRL.  QNEXA is also in phase 2 clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. In the area of male sexual health, VIVUS is in phase 3 development with avanafil, a PDE5 inhibitor being studied for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

For more information about the company, please visit www.vivus.com.

SOURCE VIVUS, Inc.