Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) reported that Dr. Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet will be releasing etrasimod S1P receptor profile report at the UEGW Meeting. The data will be published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal, which is a peer-reviewed medical journal offering coverage of translational and clinical trials from different fields of gastroenterology.
The buzz
Recently, Arena, in conjunction with its Eisai Co., Ltd (ADR)(OTCMKTS:ESALY) reported the availability of Belviq XR to patients. This update was enough to result in a small surge in the shares price of ARNA. Despite, Standard Belviq presence in the market since last two years, the sales of the anti-obesity medicine has never posted remarkable growth. Insurance firms have not delivered extremely good coverage of anti-obesity medicines, and despite clinical studies, many doctors are yet doubtful on the effectiveness and safety of anti-obesity drugs.
Arena shareholders were once keen on the idea of a once daily form of Belviq. The assumption was that the ‘XR’ version would be the second phase launching pad, supporting the pill on its path leading to blockbuster designation. When the facts of poor Belviq sales came in, the notion that an XR version would shoot the medicine seem to have collapsed by the wayside. Marketing associate Eisai has essentially reported that it is not willing to spend a lot of money on the drug marketing activities until the FDA mandated cardiovascular studies are closed by sometime in 2018 or 2019.
The future ahead
Arena is at least successful in registering modest revenue from Belviq sales. Considering the facts, all is not gone with the launch of a newer version of Belviq drug as a once daily formulation is something that can help users modestly. The prime assistance will come from the type of essentially forced compliance. When it is a two pill per day plan, it is possible, and it happens, that a user skips the afternoon dosage either intentionally or simply because he forget.
This suggests dosing compliance is easier with a plan of once daily dose. A 30-day prescription of twice daily may last a subject anywhere between 31 and 60 days subject to on how seriously they follow the program. That indicates refills are slower, and by delay, sales and revenue are sluggish. Belviq XR can help lessen that problem.
