Weight-loss drug yields favorable results in two clinical trials

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. Two late-stage clinical trials have turned up favorable results for an investigational weight-loss drug.

VIVUS announced Wednesday that the 56-week phase 3 trials, involving more than 3,750 patients at 93 sites, showed “significant” weight loss – including 37 pounds on average in one of the trials – in patients taking Qnexa (ddd). Patients taking the drug also experienced improvements in blood pressure, lipid levels and Type 2 diabetes, the company said.

“We believe these results may provide a compelling opportunity for global pharmaceutical companies, and we intend to initiate partnering discussions now that we have the full data set in hand,” VIVUS president and CEO Leland Wilson said in a statement.

Wilson said the company will file a regulatory approval application with the Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year.