Lorcaserin is used for 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.
Lorcaserin works by selectively stimulating the 5-HT2C serotonin receptor in the hypothalamus, which affects satiety and metabolic rate.
Earlier, on December 2009, Arena Pharma had filed a new drug application (NDA) for Lorcaserin. Eisai to take up the responsibility to market and distribute Lorcaserin in the US.
The NDA is based on a data package from Lorcaserin’s development program that includes 18 clinical trials totaling 8,576 patients. The pivotal Phase III clinical trial program, BLOOM (Behavioral modification and Lorcaserin for Overweight and Obesity Management) and BLOSSOM (Behavioral modification and Lorcaserin Second Study for Obesity Management), evaluated nearly 7,200 patients treated for up to two years.
Whereas, Arena is expected to manufacture and supply of the finished commercial product at its facility in Switzerland.
Eisai said that the current agreement will provide it with an opportunity to bring a new obesity treatment option to market.