Arena Pharmaceuticals Announces Lorcaserin Data Demonstrating Highly Significant Categorical and Absolute Weight Loss and Improvements in Secondary Endpoints Associated with Cardiovas...( - Late-Breaking Data from Pivotal BLO...),Health

- Late-Breaking Data from Pivotal BLOOM Trial Presented at the American Diabetes Association's 69th Scientific Sessions Expand on Previously Announced Positive Top-Line Results -

NEW ORLEANS, June 6, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARNA) announced today a late-breaking poster presentation of positive results from BLOOM (Behavioral modification and Lorcaserin for Overweight and Obesity Management), the first of two pivotal trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of lorcaserin for weight management, at the American Diabetes Association's 69th Scientific Sessions. Lorcaserin patients achieved highly significant categorical and absolute weight loss in Year 1, and continued treatment with lorcaserin in Year 2 helped significantly more patients maintain their weight loss as compared to those on placebo. Treatment with lorcaserin also resulted in highly significant improvements as compared to placebo in multiple secondary endpoints associated with cardiovascular risk. Lorcaserin did not result in increased risk of depression and was not associated with the development of cardiac valvular insufficiency.

Previously announced BLOOM data demonstrated that lorcaserin was highly efficacious, achieving statistical significance on all three co-primary efficacy endpoints, and was very well tolerated. The BLOOM results also satisfy the efficacy requirement in the most recent US Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, draft guidance for the development of drugs for weight management.

"These data provide reason for new optimism for the millions of people who struggle with managing their weight and are in need of novel, well tolerated treatments to help improve their overall health," said Steven R. Smith, M.D., Co-Principal Investigator and Professor and Assistant Director for Clinical Research at
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