Arena Pharmaceuticals, a US-based biopharmaceutical company focused at discovering, developing and commercializing novel drugs for weight management, cardiovascular disease, inflammation and other disorders, has made significant developments in the year 2012.

In June 2012, the US FDA approved the company's internally discovered drug Belviq (lorcaserin HCL), which is currently under review for marketing approval in the European Union and Switzerland. Belviq is believed to decrease food consumption and promote satiety by selectively activating serotonin 2C receptors in the brain. Activation of these receptors helps a person eat less and feel full after eating smaller amounts of food.

In November 2012, the company entered into a marketing and supply agreement with IIdong Pharmaceuticals for Belviq. Under the terms of the agreement, Arena granted Ildong exclusive rights to market and distribute Belviq in South Korea, subject to regulatory approval of the drug by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFFDA).

Mr Jack Lief, president and CEO, Arena Pharmaceuticals, speaks with BioSpectrum about the company's latest partnership with Ildong and how the company is going forward to introduce this drug in other markets.

Could you please tell us in detail about Belviq?
Belviq is a novel single agent discovered and developed by Arena that selectively targets specific receptors (5-HT2C) in the brain to decrease food intake in combination with a reduced calorie diet and exercise. The clinical trial program for Belviq was initiated in 2004, with Belviq achieving FDA approval in the US in June, 2012.