Eisai, Arena in Marketing and Supply Pact

Eisai Inc., the U.S. operation of Tokyo-based Eisai Co., Ltd., has entered into an agreement with Arena Pharmaceuticals for exclusive U.S. rights to commercialize lorcaserin, a drug candidate for potential treatment of obesity, including weight loss. If approved, Eisai will market and distribute lorcaserin in the U.S. Arena will manufacture and supply the finished commercial product at its facility in Switzerland.

“As part of our human health care mission, Eisai is committed to increasing benefits to patients and their families by addressing unmet medical needs,” said Lonnel Coats, president and chief executive officer, Eisai Inc. “Through this agreement, we believe Eisai has an opportunity to bring a new option to market to address the significant and growing need for medical obesity treatments. Additionally, by building on our expertise and success in the primary care and specialty areas, with strong synergy in our gastrointestinal franchise, this arrangement will enable Eisai to establish a strong presence in the U.S. for the medical management of obesity.”