LOS ANGELES, March 12 (Reuters) - Orexigen Therapeutics Inc said on Friday it has enlisted Canadian drugmaker Patheon Inc to manufacture its experimental weight loss drug Contrave, as well as future formulations of the drug.
Orexigen, based in San Diego, has said it plans to file for U.S. regulatory approval of Contrave before the end of April.
Financial terms of the Patheon deal were not disclosed.
'Patheon's manufacturing capabilities provide us a proven platform to help ensure successful market entry and stable commercial supply of Contrave in the event it is approved,' Orexigen President and Chief Executive Mike Narachi said in a statement.
Orexigen is seeking a commercial partner for its obesity products, but has said it plans to hire a contract sales force to target high-prescribing physicians.
Contrave is a pill that combines the antidepressant Wellbutrin, known generically as bupropion, with a sustained-release version of naltrexone, an opioid blocker used to treat alcoholism and other addictions.
Shares of Orexigen rose 3.6 percent to $6.79 in after-hours trading.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: OREXIGEN/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; 1-213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Orexigen, based in San Diego, has said it plans to file for U.S. regulatory approval of Contrave before the end of April.
Financial terms of the Patheon deal were not disclosed.
'Patheon's manufacturing capabilities provide us a proven platform to help ensure successful market entry and stable commercial supply of Contrave in the event it is approved,' Orexigen President and Chief Executive Mike Narachi said in a statement.
Orexigen is seeking a commercial partner for its obesity products, but has said it plans to hire a contract sales force to target high-prescribing physicians.
Contrave is a pill that combines the antidepressant Wellbutrin, known generically as bupropion, with a sustained-release version of naltrexone, an opioid blocker used to treat alcoholism and other addictions.
Shares of Orexigen rose 3.6 percent to $6.79 in after-hours trading.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley; Editing by Richard Chang) Keywords: OREXIGEN/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; 1-213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.