Patients on Belviq in pivotal phase III studies achieved clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in important cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in a well-tolerated manner. Patients who completed one year of Belviq treatment lost an average of approximately eight percent of their weights.

What is the market size that you are planning to tap through Belviq?
Worldwide, there are more than 1.4 billion overweight and obese adults who may benefit from Belviq. We are focused on effectively commercializing Belviq around the world through strategic marketing and supply collaborations in order to provide physicians and patients with a new tool for successful chronic weight management.

What made you choose South Korea to launch this drug in Asia rather than other countries in the region?
In terms of the market opportunity for South Korea, the country is among the top 15 pharmaceutical markets in the world and has a significant overweight and obese population. Approximately one-third of the adult population in South Korea is classified as obese, which is locally defined as a BMI greater than or equal to 25.

In addition, we feel strongly that Ildong Pharmaceutical, one of the country's leading pharmaceutical companies, would be the right collaborator for Belviq. Though South Korea is the first agreement we've established in Asia, we are also pursuing commercial strategies in other countries.

What is the price at which Belviq will be available to patients in South Korea?
It is too early to speak about pricing in South Korea. At this point, Ildong is targeting a late 2014-to-early 2015 launch of Belviq.