Big Drug Makers Say They Are Steering Clear Of Diet Drugs

Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) has decided not to pursue obesity drugs because of clinical setbacks and disappointments in the marketplace, Anders Svensson, head of metabolism clinical development, said at a Cleveland Clinic conference focusing on obesity and diabetes.

"I think a lot of other companies are thinking the same way, that pure obesity and weight reduction is probably not that attractive of an area," Svensson said during a panel discussion about diet drugs.

Sanofi-Aventis Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher called the rising incidence of obesity "the greatest health-care challenge" because it leads to serious diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. But he isn't convinced drug makers have the answer.

"I don't think right now we have the regulatory environment or risk-benefit environment to foster development of obesity drugs," he said before an audience at the conference.

"It's quite a graveyard," he said of past efforts to bring new diet drugs to market. Sanofi's own rimonabant is one of the corpses. It was once viewed as a potential blockbuster in the middle of the last decade, but it was never approved in the U.S. and was pulled from the European market on safety concerns.

Some experts think drug makers will have to demonstrate that antiobesity drugs not only help people lose weight but also can produce solid health outcomes, such as reducing the risk of diabetes, to sway drug regulators.

via nasdaq.com

Posted via email from Jack's posterous