Experimental obesity drug Qnexa shows promising results

If successful, this obesity drug would prove to be a boon for an estimated one-third obese American population.

The experimental drug called Qnexa is a combination of two drugs already approved for sale: phentermine, the most commonly prescribed obesity drug, and topiramate, which is used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches.

The drug is designed to be taken in pill form once a day.

Qnexa triggered astonishing clinical results
A total of 3,754 obese men and women underwent the clinical trials over a period of 56 weeks.

In the first trial, the patients were given a milder as well as stronger dose of the drug. Those given the milder dose lost approximately 5 percent of their weight or 18 pounds on an average. While those who were given the stronger dose lost an estimated 15 percent or 37 pounds of their weight.

In the second trial, the stronger dose resulted in a weight loss of slightly more than 13 percent (30 pounds).

The Vivus executives confirmed that the drug did not lead to any serious problems, rather it helped many obese people shed pounds of weight. The only side effects triggered by the drug were dry mouth, a tingling sensation, constipation, altered taste and insomnia, they informed.

One of the study's lead researchers, Dr. Michelle Look said, "Qnexa clearly has the potential to help people with significant weight problems."

Leland Wilson, Vivus CEO and president said, "The results of both studies are exceptional. We believe Qnexa meets all FDA requirements for approval."

Vivus in race with two other companies
Vivus Inc. competes with two other California-based companies - Orexigen Therapeutics and Arena Pharmaceuticals, both of San Diego- for obesity drug market. These companies are expected to seek permission from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as their obesity drugs have also shown successful results.

It is expected that Qnexa will get a quick approval from the FDA and would soon be able to create a niche for itself in the obesity drug market. Given the successful figures of the stock price, experts believe that it could hit $10 billion over the next few years.

Vivus executives have also announced that they would soon start looking for a pharmaceutical company which could market Qnexa in the worldwide obesity drug market.

Vivus Inc.’s shares surge
Mountain View, California-based Vivus Incorporation saw a towering 70 percent estimated rise in its share price on Wednesday as its weight loss drug produced strong results in the clinical trials.

It’s been reported that the company's stock price shot up from $4.89 to $11.80 after the results of the Qnexa’s clinical studies were announced.

The drug could potentially churn out billions of dollars in sales for the pharmaceutical company.