Stall in new anti-obesity drugs

The failure of new obesity drugs to meet USA Federal Drug Administration [FDA] safety demands is preventing new approvals in obesity therapies.  This has left Orlistat - and its over-the-counter version, Alli - as the only long-term therapy approved in Europe and the US .  The FDA states that more safety evidence must be provided and both Lorquess and Qnexa have challenging paths to approval.  It is not all bad news however.  Novo Nordisk is now attempting to establish a higher dose of Victoza diabetes drug as a viable weight-loss drug for non-diabetics.  Victoza's mechanisim avoids centrally acting side-effects that have been the cause of recent drugs withdrawals.  Pivotal trials are scheduled to begin in the Autumn. [source Datamonitor]