Eisai signs agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH to commercialize lorcaserin

Eisai Inc., the U.S. pharmaceutical operation of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for exclusive U.S. rights to commercialize lorcaserin, a drug candidate for potential use in the treatment of obesity, including weight loss, for patients who are obese (Body Mass Index or BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related co-morbid condition. If approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Eisai will market and distribute lorcaserin in the United States. Arena will handle the manufacture and supply of the finished commercial product at its facility in Switzerland.

“Obesity is one of the most pressing public health issues of our day and one which cannot be overlooked”

"Obesity is one of the most pressing public health issues of our day and one which cannot be overlooked," said Lonnel Coats, President and Chief Executive Officer, Eisai Inc.

Over one-third of American adults are obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity in the United States more than doubled (from 15 percent to 34 percent) among adults from 1980 to 2008.

"As part of our human health care (hhc) mission, Eisai is committed to increasing benefits to patients and their families by addressing unmet medical needs," stated Mr. Coats. "Through this agreement, we believe Eisai has an opportunity to bring a new option to market to address the significant and growing need for medical obesity treatments. Additionally, by building on our expertise and success in the primary care and specialty areas, with strong synergy in our gastrointestinal franchise, this arrangement will enable Eisai to establish a strong presence in the United States for the medical management of obesity."

"We support the human health care mission and believe that Eisai is the right company to market lorcaserin in the United States," said Jack Lief, Arena's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Execution of this commercial agreement is a major milestone in our plans for lorcaserin, and we look forward to working with Eisai to help patients achieve weight loss in a well-tolerated manner."