NICE recommends Sanofi-aventis’s obesity drug

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended the usage of Acomplia within its licensed indications, as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults who are obese or overweight and who have had an inadequate response to, are intolerant of, or are contraindicated to other antiobesity agents that have previously been reviewed by NICE.

In clinical trials in obese and overweight patients, many of whom had associated risk factors such as type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, Acomplia was shown to help people to not only lose weight but also to improve their cardiovascular risk profile above and beyond that expected from weight loss alone.

Sanofi-aventis believes that Acomplia is a valuable addition to the limited treatment options currently available. The final appraisal determination does not constitute the NICE’s formal decision; the final guidance document is expected to follow in due course.

Hanspeter Spek, executive vice-president, pharmaceutical operations, Sanofi-aventis, said: “We are delighted we have been able to provide Acomplia, a truly innovative treatment, and in doing so, to contribute to reducing the burden of disease linked to obesity.”