US FDA panel to review Orexigen obesity drug

A U.S. advisory panel is set to review an experimental obesity-fighting drug from Orexigen Therapeutics Inc (OREX.O) in December, the company said on Wednesday.

Orexigen, in a statement, said the Food and Drug Administration tentatively scheduled a committee meeting on the drug, Contrave, for Dec. 7.

The FDA often asks advisory panels for input before deciding whether to approve a new medicine. The panels are groups of experts from outside the agency.

A final FDA ruling on Contrave is due by Jan. 31, 2011 the company said.

Contrave combines the antidepressant bupropion with naltrexone, which is used to treat alcoholism.

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June 23 (Reuters)