Eisai Inc. and Arena Pharmaceutical recently announced that Belviq, developed by Eisai subsidiary Eisai Laboratories, has been given regulatory approval by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).
Belviq was developed to help manage chronic weight.
"Currently, more than half of the Brazilian population is overweight or obese and, without intervention, these numbers are projected to increase," Eisai President and Chief Operating Officer Shaji Procida said. "This approval represents a new option for Brazilians who find it difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. At Eisai, we remain committed to help address the needs of this patient population."
Belviq has achieved approval in Brazil as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more -- which is classified as obese -- who are seeking to manage chronic weight problems.
The formula is also approved for patients who are overweight, with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher, and have at least one weight-related co-morbid conditions. Such conditions include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea.
