« April 2007

Acomplia Will be Available in Switzerland Soon
April 10, 2007

French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis said its anti-obesity drug Acomplia had been approved in Switzerland for obese or overweight patients with at least one type of associated cardiovascular risk.

Physicians in Switzerland may prescribe the 20 mg once-daily pill along with a light diet and physical activity for obese or overweight patients with at least one associated cardiovascular risk factor and after insufficient weight reduction following physical activity or food adaptation.

"It is a very small market. If anything, they can earn roughly 50 million euros in the Swiss market," an analyst said.

Shares in Sanofi, which in the past has forecast $3 billion in annual sales from the drug, unchanged at 64.74 euros by 0721 GMT.

The Swiss approval is similar to that of the European Union's marketing approval in June, which also cleared the drug in addition to diet and exercise for overweight and obese patients with linked health risks, such as type 2 diabetes.

Clinical trials showed Acomplia cuts weight and waist circumference and improves blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, good HDL cholesterol and helps tackle fat levels in the blood.

The U.S. health regulator has yet to give its marketing approval for Acomplia, known as rimonabant. A decision is expected in July.