FDA approves Belviq XR from Eisai, Arena

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved Eisai’s and Arena Pharmaceuticals’ Belviq XR (lorcaserin HCl) extended-release 20-mg tablets, the companies announced Tuesday. 

 

The drug is a new formulation of lorcaserin that can offer patients once-daily dosing and could help maintain weight loss, as it’s indicated for use in patients for chronic weight management. Following the approval, Arena will receive a $10 million milestone payment. 

 

"With approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population living with extra weight or obesity, there is a significant and growing need to address chronic weight management," said Dr. Louis J. Aronne, M.D., principal investigator of the Belviq clinical trials. "Having a once-daily treatment may offer an option for patients to stay on track to meet their weight loss goals."

 

The companies expect Belviq XR to be available in the fall of 2016.