Vivus touts late-stage success with obesity drug

Vivus says that the first of three Phase III trials planned for its obesity drug Qnexa met its primary endpoint of superior weight loss compared to a placebo. At the highest dose, the average weight loss was 9.2 percent, or 19.8 pounds. In a lower dose, patients lost an average of 8.5 percent--18.2 pounds--while volunteers taking a placebo lost 1.7 percent.

Qnexa combines phentermine with the epilepsy drug Topamax. The most common side effects included dry mouth, itching and constipation. Depression and altered mood side effect were reported for 1.9 percent of patients taking the high dose, .9 percent at the mid-dose and 1.8 percent for the placebo group.

"The results from the EQUATE trial once again confirmed our belief in Qnexa. In addition to hitting the primary endpoints of the study with the full-dose, we were also able to show excellent results with the mid-dose of Qnexa," commented Leland Wilson, president and chief executive officer of Vivus.

- read Vivus' release

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