It is a while since we last reported on Contrave, the
experimental weight loss medication concocted by Orexigen Therapeutics from two
existing medications: bupropion and naltrexone. The medication met the FDA’s minimum efficacy
requirements for a weight loss medication, even although the results were not
staggering. At the end of the day however, the FDA declined to provide a
license and asked the company to conduct exhaustive cardiovascular studies,
which are now under way.
There really is a dearth of weight loss medications available
for us to prescribe for obese or overweight patients, so we are more than happy
to hear that the European Medicines Agency has been constructive in its
approach to Contrave and Orexigen intends to submit a Marketing Authorization
Application in the next few months. The company should have interim results
from its cardiovascular study by the time of the 120 day questions from the
European Medicines Agency and it seems that these interim results will be acceptable
to the agency in terms of taking the application forward.
With Qsiva being rejected by the EMA and Lorcaserin running
out of time and being voluntarily withdrawn, let’s hope that Contrave fairs
better. You can read more about Contrave here.