Eisai expands global supply deal for anti-obesity therapy

Eisai has agreed a deal with Arena Pharmaceuticals that will allow it to make the anti-obesity agent lorcaserin hydrochloride available to more patients worldwide.

The previous marketing and supply agreement between the companies granted Eisai exclusive rights to market and distribute lorcaserin in 21 countries throughout the Americas, where it has been sold under the brand name Belviq.

With the expansion of the deal, it now includes most countries and territories worldwide, notably the EU, Japan and China, with the exceptions being South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

Eisai will be working with Arena to develop and seek approval of lorcaserin across the world, while also investigating its potential as a smoking cessation aid and assessing its impact on diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes.

According to Eisai, this deal comes as part of its wider efforts to provide a new treatment option for obesity in every country and territory, while also establishing a weight management global standard that includes drug therapy.

Currently, the company is working to expand its UK production facilities in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, in order to support the launch of several new products, with work to be completed midway through next year.