3 Bio-Pharmaceuticals You Can’t Ignore: Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA), VIVUS Inc. (VVUS)

Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) is a much safer bet as compared to Vivus due to less strict safety guidance by FDA. Initially the FDA asked for a DEA review into potential abuse of Belviq, but a recent ruling has put all such concerns to rest. According to the DEA, Belviq has been classified as a schedule IV drug, i.e. having a low risk of abuse. Therefore physicians are allowed to prescribe Belviq for a 3 month period through local pharmacies.

Unlike the dramatic fluctuations in the stock price of its rival Vivus, Arena’s stock has fluctuated between $8 and $11 during the last six months. The trial results of Belviq show that it can reduce weight in the range of 10% to 11%, making it ideal for patients who do not want to undertake a lot of risk. It will also be easier for doctors to prescribe Belviq due to its less strict safety guidelines; therefore Arena is the safest obesity bet out there.

The article 3 Bio-Pharmaceuticals You Can’t Ignore originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Mohsin Saeed.

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