Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.'s Much Anticipated Weight Loss Drug NB32 Gets New PDUFA Date From The FDA

SAN DIEGO, June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Orexigen® Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its review of the resubmitted New Drug Application (NDA) for NB32, the Company’s investigational medication being evaluated for weight loss. The new Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date has been set for September 11, 2014.

The FDA has indicated that the review extension is needed to reach agreement on the post-marketing obligation related to the previously agreed upon evaluation of cardiovascular (CV) outcomes for NB32. The NDA resubmission package includes interim safety and CV outcomes data from the ongoing 8,900 patient Light Study. Discussions around the package insert and other post-marketing obligations are ongoing.

“We are working expeditiously with the FDA to finalize the review,” said Michael Narachi, CEO of Orexigen. “We are encouraged by the high level of engagement with the FDA, and are confident that we can reach agreement on the remaining post-marketing obligation.”

Orexigen management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss this update today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. The live call may be accessed by phone by calling 1 (800) 708-4540 (domestic) or 1 (847) 619-6397 (international), participant code 37498115. The webcast can be accessed live on the investor relations section of the Orexigen web site at http://www.orexigen.com/ and will be archived for 14 days following the call.

About Orexigen Therapeutics
Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of obesity. The Company’s lead product candidate is NB32. Based on successful results of the Light Study, an ongoing cardiovascular outcomes trial, Orexigen’s strategy for NB32 is to pursue approvals worldwide and pharmaceutical partnerships for global commercialization. The Company has submitted applications for marketing authorization in the United States and Europe, with potential approvals in 2014. If approved, North American partner Takeda Pharmaceuticals will commercialize NB32 in the United States. The Company’s other product candidate, Empatic, has completed Phase 2 clinical trials. Further information about the Company can be found at www.orexigen.com.

ForwardLooking Statements
Orexigen cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “indicates,” “will,” “should,” “intends,” “potential,” “suggests,” “assuming,” “designed” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding: the three-month extension; the timing of potential FDA approval of the NDA for NB32; and obtaining agreement with the FDA on the post marketing obligations for the evaluation of CV outcomes. Inclusion of forwardlooking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Orexigen or that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in this release due to the risk and uncertainties inherent in the Orexigen business, including, without limitation: the potential for the FDA to not approve the resubmitted NDA for NB32; the possibility that public disclosure of the results of the interim analysis of the Light Study would later be deemed to jeopardize the integrity of the Light Study potentially resulting in the requirement to conduct additional, costly studies; additional analysis of the interim results or new data from the continuing Light Study, including safety-related data, may produce negative or inconclusive results, or may be inconsistent with the conclusion that the interim analysis was successful; the potential that the interim analysis may not be predictive of future results in the Light Study; the potential for early termination of Orexigen’s North American collaboration agreement with Takeda; even if the NDA is approved by the FDA; the final results of the Light Study may not support continued approval of NB32; the therapeutic and commercial value of NB32; and other risks described in Orexigen’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forwardlooking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Orexigen undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Orexigen’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission May 9, 2014 and its other reports, which are available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on Orexigen’s website (www.orexigen.com) under the heading “Investor Relations.” All forwardlooking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc.