Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) announced today the filing with the Swiss health authority, Swissmedic, of a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for lorcaserin hydrochloride, an investigational drug candidate in Switzerland. The intended indication is as an adjunct to diet and exercise for weight control in patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m(2) or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m(2) or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight related comorbid condition. Arena expects that Swissmedic will accept the filing later this month and confirm the filing is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review process.
"This submission reflects our continued efforts to make lorcaserin available to physicians and patients beyond the United States," said Jack Lief, Arena's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to Swissmedic's review of our application and to the potential approval of lorcaserin in Switzerland for patients who are obese or overweight with comorbidities."