The Food and Drug Administration approved San Diego-based Arena Pharmaceuticals' Belviq XR extended-release tablets.
The tablets are a new formulation of the drug lorcaserin, which is intended to help patients achieve and maintain weight loss when paired with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Arena, which entered into a licensing agreement with Tokyo-based Eisai in 2010, will receive a $10 million milestone payment for the approval.
Belviq XR is expected to reach the market in fall 2016.
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