Boston, MA 09/12/2014 (wallstreetpr) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave a green signal to Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX) diet pill called Contrave for sale in the country. The reason why this approval holds prominence is because it is the only third kind of obesity treatment/pill in over 10 years, which has received FDA’s nod. Contrave is composed of bupropion antidepressant as well as naltrexone formulation.
Only Third Obesity Treatment Approved By FDA in A Decade
With this go-ahead signal, Contrave became the third one to join Belviq of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) and Qsymia of VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS), both of which were given approval two years ago in 2012. But with this, there will be an increase in competition regarding the choice for obesity treatment in the U.S.
Warning Followed with Contrave
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX) has not yet disclosed about the price or availability of this pill. Because Contrave comes accompanied with a lot of warnings, therefore, the decision of approval was delayed by the FDA by three months, in June 2014. Presence of antidepressant in the pill makes it mandatory for the company to carry warning regarding increased threat of suicidal behaviour or thoughts.
Which treatment will win?
The previous two obesity treatments that have been approved by FDA already have faced cool response in terms of sales, because of improper marketing strategies and sun-standard launches. Also the prior treatments carry increased heart risks and depression risks, which is why both of them face compensation challenges as well. Qsymia and Belviq are not the choice of health insurance companies (both private and Government) because of the unconvinced enduring efficiency and more number of patients dropping out of their treatment.
Learning from their experience, Contrave will clearly try to avoid all the aforementioned points and try to establish itself as a blockbuster obesity treatment in the country. It is expected that the sales of this new pill will sum up at $200 million in next two year, i.e. by 2016, which is higher than $180 million and $150 million of Belviq and Qsymia, respectively.
