Obesity, weight-management drug deal made by Eisai, Arena

SAN DIEGO Japanese drug maker Eisai will market a drug in the United States that was developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals for obesity and weight management, Arena said.

Under an agreement between the two companies, Arena will receive more than 30% of Eisai’s net sales and another $1.37 billion in other payments for the drug lorcaserin following the drug’s approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Arena will manufacture the drug at its factory in Switzerland and then sell it to Eisai, which will have exclusive rights to commercialize it in the United States.

“Through this agreement, we believe Eisai has an opportunity to bring a new option to market to address the significant and growing need for obesity treatments,” Eisai CEO Lonnel Coats said. “Additionally, by building on our expertise and success in the primary care and specialty areas, with strong synergy in our gastrointestinal franchise, this arrangement for the marketing of lorcaserin will enable Eisai to establish a strong presence in the United States for the medical management of obesity.”