Eisai acquires world rights to obesity therapy Belviq (lorcaserin HCl) from Arena Pharma.

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has amended its Belviq (lorcaserin HCl) marketing and supply agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. and Eisai Inc. Under the revised agreement, Eisai is acquiring global commercialization rights to Belviq, including in the territories retained by Arena under the parties' prior agreement, with control over global development and commercialization decisions, and is responsible for all lorcaserin development expenses going forward. The financial terms of the revised agreement are expected to provide Arena with $23 million of cash payments and over $80 million of potential cost relief on current lorcaserin development obligations.

Arena will continue to be eligible to receive royalty payments on net sales of Belviq and participate in the upside potential of lorcaserin from additional geographies and clinical trials such as the ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial, CAMELLIA.