Xenical will be Replaced by Sanofi-Aventis's Acomplia as the Clinical Gold Standard for the Treatment of Obesity by 2010

WALTHAM, Mass., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that Roche/GlaxoSmithKline's Xenical will be replaced as the clinical gold standard for the treatment of obesity by Sanofi-Aventis's Acomplia by 2010.

According to the new report entitled Only One Emerging Agent Can Satisfy Physicians' Most Important Demand: An Obesity Study, Acomplia will replace Xenical because clinical data and thought-leader consensus indicate that the drug will provide greater weight reduction while offering additional cardiovascular benefits by increasing HDL cholesterol and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Launched in 2006 in the United Kingdom and Germany, Acomplia was the first cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist to reach the obesity market.

"Besides greater weight reduction and additional cardiovascular benefits, Accomplia promotes a longer period of weight maintenance and greater waist circumference reduction," said Decision Resources analyst Nancy Li. "Although Acomplia is contraindicated in patients with depression and may cause side effects of anxiety and depression in certain subpopulations, its lack of upsetting GI side effects is a welcome difference for patients who have tried Xenical. In addition, Acomplia is dosed more conveniently - once daily versus three times daily for Xenical."

About Only One Emerging Agent Can Satisfy Physicians' Most Important Demand: An Obesity Study

Only One Emerging Agent Can Satisfy Physicians' Most Important Demand: An Obesity Study covers the current and future state of the obesity drug market. The report includes:

  -- More than 3,000 physician responses that define drug attributes that
     drive prescription now and in the future.
     - Clinical end point tradeoffs that are most influential to
       physicians.
     - Areas of unmet need with highest potential.
     - Benchmark trial results for specific drug opportunities.
     - Patient share potential for emerging therapies and target product
       profiles.

  -- Decision Resources proprietary analysis of commercial factors that
     accelerate or constrain a drug's market potential.
     - Promotion: DTC spend, detailing intensity.
     - Reimbursement: formulary tier, prior approval restriction, quantity
       limits.
     - Labeling: black box warnings, approved patient segments,
       contraindications.
     - Competition: order of entry, pricing, generic entry, pipeline sales
       forecast.
     - Medical practice: decision trees, treating physician type, line of
       therapy.

  -- Comparisons of the key clinical attributes of current and emerging
     therapies in the areas of efficacy, safety, and delivery.
     - Analysis and supporting data that identifies the clinical "Gold
       Standard" now and over the next ten years.
     - Key insights as to which clinical end points have the greatest
       influence on physician decision-making.

The report can be purchased by contacting Decision Resources. Members of the media may request a complimentary copy or an interview with an analyst.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources, Inc., (http://www.decisionresources.com/) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

  For more information, contact:

  Elizabeth Marshall
  Decision Resources, Inc.
  781-296-2563
  emarshall@dresources.com