Arena Pharmaceutical Gets the First Weight Loss Drug Approved in 13 Years

“(Reuters) – U.S. health regulators on Wednesday approved Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc’s pill to treat obesity, making it the first new weight-loss drug in 13 years as public health advocates push for new solutions to the nation’s growing obesity epidemic.

Arena shares jumped more than 45 percent following the announcement.

Arena’s lorcaserin, which will be sold under the brand name Belviq, was one of three experimental weight-loss drugs seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval after initial rejections by the agency. Vivus Inc and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc are still hoping to bring their medicines to market.”

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