VIVUS Says EMA Confirmed Oct. MAA Decline, Wants Cardio Outcomes Trial on Qsiva

VIVUS, Inc.

announced today that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) confirmed its October 18, 2012 decision to decline the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Qsiva™ (phentermine/topiramate ER) for the treatment of obesity in the European Union. VIVUS had requested a re-examination of the opinion. After considering the grounds for this request, CHMP again declined the marketing authorization on February 21, 2013. In its consideration of the Qsiva MAA, CHMP indicated that a pre-approval cardiovascular outcomes trial would be necessary to establish long-term safety. "We are disappointed with the CHMP decision regarding Qsiva and the position the Committee adopted with respect to the need for a preapproval cardiovascular outcomes trial," said Peter Y. Tam, president of VIVUS.  "We have worked diligently throughout Europe with key opinion leaders and regulatory and risk management experts to highlight the favorable safety and efficacy profile of Qsiva. Despite the positive recommendation of CHMP's own Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) and the high unmet medical need in obese patients, a majority of CHMP members have failed to recognize the importance of making this treatment option available, particularly for patients whose only effective intervention is surgery." Qsiva was approved by the U.S. FDA in July 2012 and is sold under the trade name Qsymia™.  The pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial program included over 4,500 subjects studied up to two years, establishing Qsymia as a safe and effective treatment for obesity.