VIVUS disappointed with FDA Advisory Committee's vote on QNEXA for obesity treatment

VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) today announced that the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted against the following question: "Based on the current available data, do you believe the overall benefit-risk assessment of PHEN/TPM (QNEXA) is favorable to support its approval for the treatment of obesity in individuals with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 or > 27 kg/m2 with weight-related co-morbidities?" The three co-morbidities included hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia.

The vote from the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee is a recommendation. The FDA will take the Committee's recommendation into consideration during its review of the current application and will make a determination. The FDA may or may not follow the Committee's recommendation.

"We appreciate the Advisory Committee's recognition of obesity as a significant health crisis, and the challenges associated with the treatment of this disease," stated Leland Wilson, chief executive officer, VIVUS. "We are disappointed with the Advisory Committee's vote. While the final vote was close, and we are encouraged that the Committee recognized the efficacy demonstrated in the QNEXA clinical trials, we will work closely with the FDA leading up to our October 28, 2010 PDUFA date to address the labeling and safety questions raised during today's proceedings. We remain committed to patients living with obesity and weight-related disease."