Lorcaserin, New Obesity Drug (continued)
Arena Pharmaceuticals released today the first report of their initial 2-year phase 3 clinical trial for Lorcaserin. Although Wall Street analyists generally issued pessimistic opinions, careful analysis reveals that the newdrugmeets or exceedsFDA standardsfor approval.Furthermore the weight loss results are robust withnearly 50% of patients losing 5% of initial weight and nearly 25% losing 10%.Typically there is a marked genetic variation inpatient response to obesity treatment, something FDA trials tend to obscure. A high percentage of patients who lose more than 5 and 10% suggestsa very large population of obese patients will respond with impressive weight loss with Lorcaserin. The drug triggers specific brain serotonin receptors known to diminish carbohydrate cravings and diminish food intake. Patients receiving agents known to stimulate these receptors often comment onhow easy it is to diet and lose weight.This factor alone should make this drug a very popular one
