Vivus debuts weight-loss pill Qsymia on US market

USA-based Vivus (Nasdaq: VVUS) saw its shares rise 3.9% to $22.93 on Monday, after the company announced the US market availability of Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended-release).

Qsymia was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obese), or 27 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related co-morbidity, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus or high cholesterol (The Pharma Letter July 18). It is the first FDA-approved once daily combination therapy – and the first new medication available in 13 years – for the treatment of obesity.

Vivus is formally introducing Qsymia to medical professionals this week at The Obesity Society's Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Vivus is launching without a marketing partner, rather choosing to use the contract sales organization, PDI to hire 150 sales reps, but management of the sales force will be internal. After not approving a new diet drug for 13 years, Qsymia’s clearance followed that of Arena and Eisai’s Belviq (lorcaserin) (TPL June 28).