SAN DIEGO, Oct. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) announced today the initiation of patient dosing in a Phase 1b multiple-ascending dose clinical trial of APD371, a selective and potent agonist of the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b clinical trial will enroll approximately 36 healthy adults to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of multiple-ascending doses of APD371. In a previous single-ascending dose trial, APD371 demonstrated dose responsive exposure over the explored range of 10-400 mg with good tolerability at all doses.

"As with all of our other clinical-stage compounds, APD371 was internally discovered by Arena's scientists," said Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Arena's interim Chief Executive Officer. "This is another demonstration of Arena's expertise in discovering and developing differentiated drug candidates to address unmet medical needs."

About APD371

APD371, an orally available agonist of the CB2 receptor, is an internally discovered investigational drug candidate that Arena is exploring for potential development in several indications, including pain. This compound, through its selectivity, is designed to provide pain relief without psychotropic effects and without the potential for dependence or abuse. Preclinical efficacy with APD371 has been shown in several animal models of pain.

About Arena Pharmaceuticals

Arena embraces the challenge of improving health by seeking to bring innovative medicines targeting G protein-coupled receptors to patients. Arena's focus is discovering, developing and commercializing drugs to address unmet medical needs, and BELVIQ(®) (lorcaserin HCl) is Arena's first internally discovered drug approved for marketing. Arena has US operations located in San Diego, California, and operations outside of the United States, including its commercial manufacturing facility, located in Zofingen, Switzerland. For more information, visit Arena's website at www.arenapharm.com.

Arena Pharmaceuticals(®) and Arena(® )are registered service marks of Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. BELVIQ(®) is a registered trademark of Arena Pharmaceuticals GmbH.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include statements about the advancement, therapeutic indication, safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of APD371; the protocol, design, scope, enrollment and other aspects of the Phase 1b clinical trial of APD371; exploring APD371 for potential development in several indications; the potential of APD371, including in providing pain relief without psychotropic effects or the potential for dependence or abuse; discovering and developing differentiated drug candidates to address unmet medical needs; embracing the challenge of improving health; seeking to bring innovative medicines to patients; and Arena's focus, plans, goals, strategy, expectations, research and development programs, and ability to discover and develop compounds and commercialize drugs. For such statements, Arena claims the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events or results may differ materially from Arena's expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: APD371 may not be developed, approved for marketing or commercialized for any disease or condition; risks related to commercializing drugs, including regulatory, manufacturing, supply and marketing issues and the availability and use of BELVIQ or lorcaserin; cash and revenues generated from BELVIQ, including the impact of competition; the risk that Arena's revenues are based in part on estimates, judgment and accounting policies, and incorrect estimates or disagreement regarding estimates or accounting policies may result in changes to Arena's guidance or previously reported results; the timing and outcome of regulatory review is uncertain, and lorcaserin may not be approved for marketing in combination with another drug, for another indication or using a different formulation or in any other territory for any indication; regulatory decisions in one territory may impact other regulatory decisions and Arena's business prospects; government and commercial reimbursement and pricing decisions; risks related to relying on collaborative arrangements; the timing and receipt of payments and fees, if any, from collaborators; the entry into or modification or termination of collaborative arrangements; unexpected or unfavorable new data; nonclinical and clinical data is voluminous and detailed, and regulatory agencies may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently and reach different conclusions than Arena or others, request additional information, have additional recommendations or change their guidance or requirements before or after approval; data and other information related to any of Arena's research and development may not meet regulatory requirements or otherwise be sufficient for (or Arena or a collaborator may not pursue) further research and development, regulatory review or approval or continued marketing; Arena's and third parties' intellectual property rights; the timing, success and cost of Arena's research and development and related strategy and decisions; results of clinical trials and other studies are subject to different interpretations and may not be predictive of future results; clinical trials and other studies may not proceed at the time or in the manner expected or at all; having adequate funds; and satisfactory resolution of litigation or other disagreements with others. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by Arena's forward-looking statements are disclosed in Arena's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements represent Arena's judgment as of the time of this release. Arena disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as may be required under applicable law.



    Craig M. Audet, Ph.D., Senior Vice President,
    Operations & Head of Global Regulatory Affairs
    caudet@arenapharm.com
    858.453.7200, ext. 1612

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SOURCE Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.