Released on = February 21, 2006, 3:51 am

Press Release Author = La Merie Business Intelligence

Industry = Biotech

Press Release Summary = Tremendous impetus to discovery of novel CB1 antagonists by
first-in-class CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant under review by FDA and EMEA

Press Release Body = Barcelona, Spain | Feb 21, 2006 | The Business Intelligence
firm La Merie S.L. reported today that the proven clinical efficacy of the CB1
receptor antagonist rimonabant in obesity has greatly stimulated the discovery of
novel CB1 antagonists. Sanofi-Aventis' first-in-class once-daily oral drug now
received an approvable letter from the FDA for weight management. Sanofi-Aventis
leads the field with two further CB1 antagonists and is exploring their use in
patients with cognitive defects. Three other companies have clinical stage projects,
three companies are close to initiating phase I studies and more than six companies
are active in discovery of CB1 antagonists. These results and more were found in a
search conducted by La Merie Business Intelligence published in the February 20
issue of R&D Pipeline News, edited by La Merie. The competitor analysis of CB1
antagonists can be acquired at www.pipelinereview.com, La Merie's News Center and
Online Store.

Rimonabant has been studied in more than 6,000 patients. Results of the RIO-LIPIDS
study showed that a one-year treatment of overweigth and obese patients with
abnormal lipid levels with once daily rimonabant significantly reduced body weigth
by an average of 6.9 kg in comparison to a loss of 1.5 kg in the placebo group.
Rimonabant also decreased waist circumference by 7.1 cm versus 2.4 cm in the placebo
group. More importantly, it improved a range of cardiometabolic risk factors that
may contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Results of a two-year treatment
with rimonabant in the RIO-North America study evidenced sustained effects on waist
circumference, body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Mechanism-based adverse
effects associated with CB1 receptor antagonists have not been reported.

The mechanism of action of CB1 antagonists still is not yet fully understood. Data
indicate a loss of appetite as well as an increase in metabolic rate and a loss of
fat mass. In addition, it has been shown that cannabinoid antagonists can prevent
drug reinstatement with cocaine, alcohol and nicotine. Sanofi-Aventis had studied
rimonabant as an aid to smoking cessation and submitted an NDA based on studies for
up to one year in over 6,500 smokers. However, the FDA issued a non-approvable
letter for this indication.


About R&D Pipeline News

R&D Pipeline News is a premier information source about research and development
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About La Merie

La Merie S.L. is a Business Intelligence enterprise fully dedicated to provide high
quality R&D information to the biopharmaceutical industry. La Merie offers
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information visit www.lamerie.com.



Web Site =
http://www.pipelinereview.com/joomla/metabolism-and-endocrine/dawn-has-broken-for-obesity-treatment-with-cannabinoid-receptor-cb1-antagonists.html


Contact Details = Jorge Márquez
La Merie Business Intelligence
C/ Caspe, 33B, 4º, 2ª
E-08010 Barcelona
Tel +34-93-342 91 97
Fax +34-93-342 91 98
e-mail: jorge.marquez@lamerie.com
Website: http://www.lamerie.com
Online Store: http://www.pipelinereview.com