Belviq will be marketed and distributed in South Korea by Ildong Pharmaceutical as part of its marketing and supply agreement with Arena’s wholly owned subsidiary, Arena Pharmaceuticals.
In line with the approval, Ildong will make a milestone payment of $3m to Arena.
Arena president and chief executive officer Jack Lief said: "We are pleased with this achievement, and continue to work with our collaborators to obtain approval for Belviq in additional territories.
"As a leading pharmaceutical company in South Korea with significant experience marketing obesity products, we are confident in Ildong’s ability to make this novel therapy available to patients in South Korea."
In South Korea, Belviq is approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m2 or greater (obese), or 27kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight related comorbid condition.
The drug, which is believed to decrease food consumption and promote satiety by selectively activating serotonin 2C receptors in the brain, will be manufactured by Arena at its facility in Switzerland.