Belgian chemical and pharmaceutical company Solvay anticipated the end of research and development on their experimental obesity drug SLV 319, a cannabinoid type 1 receptor inhibitor (CB1).

Three weeks ago, Sanofi-Aventis's Acomplia (rimonabant), of the same family of drugs,  was withdrawn from the European market due to its links to depression and suicidal thoughts.

According to Solvay, the decision was made based on the current regulatory environment rather than any adverse or efficacy related issues.

Recently Pfizer also decided to cease all research and development of the drug CP 945598 for similar reasons. Earlier in October, Merck & Co. also discontinued all research on their drug taranabant after it showed high adverse psychiatric side effects, including anxiety and depression.

The obesity drug market in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan will grow over five times by the year 2016, increasing from $ 478 million dollars in 2006 to more than $ 2.7 billion dollars in 2016, stated a report by research and advisory firm for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues Decision Resources last March.

The market will grow most rapidly in the U.S., the world’s top drug consumer, where sales will increase from $ 222 million dollars in 2006 to nearly $ 2 billion dollars in 2016.

The report found that the significant market growth will be driven by a number of emerging therapies, including Arena Pharmaceuticals' lorcaserin and Amylin Pharmaceuticals' pramlintide/leptin combination, which are both expected to launch in the world's major pharmaceutical markets by 2011.

Lorcaserin, pramlintide/leptin and other emerging novel therapies will capture 80 percent of the total obesity market in 2016 as doctors’ switch from the few currently available therapies to new treatments with novel mechanisms of action.