OREX: Approve Contrave, Throw Meridia Away

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.

is awaiting the FDA's Advisory Committee to resolve its split 8-8 vote on whether to pull Meridia off the market based on SCOUT data, but it appears that the FDA will not require pre-approval CV-outcome studies for obesity drugs, and now Contrave is looking much better in comparison, Jefferies reports. Contrave has solid efficacy and has evidence of CV benefits, and the FDA recognizes that a drug with no side effects has zero efficacy, where Meridia fell short, with its unacceptably low efficacy, according to Jefferies, and the final say on the drugs will come out in December. In the meantime, Jefferies maintains its Buy rating and $12 price target. Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. closed yesterday at $4.90.