[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 103 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING ARENA PHARMACEUTICALS AND THE FDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2012

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Arena 
Pharmaceuticals and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their 
work to approve a new weapon in the battle against obesity--Belviq. 
This is the first new drug for the treatment of this serous medical 
condition to be approved by the FDA in 13 years. According to the FDA, 
this innovative therapy works by activating the serotonin 2C receptor 
in the brain. Activation of this receptor may help a person eat less 
and feel full after eating smaller amounts of food.
  Mr. Speaker, the health of our nation needs to be a top priority, and 
with over 93 million Americans impacted by obesity this type of 
innovation needs to be supported. The FDA's approval of Belviq is not 
only a step towards improving the lives of many Americans and 
significantly reducing healthcare costs, but it can also result in job 
retention and job growth in San Diego. Breakthroughs, like Belviq from 
the San Diego life science community, create jobs in their search for 
innovations to ensure a healthier future. Arena Pharmaceuticals 
invested over $1.5 billion dollars to get to this point, much of which 
was spent in California. In addition, all pivotal clinical trials were 
conducted here in the United States of America. By fostering cutting 
edge life science research, we can bring economic invigoration to San 
Diego and the U.S. while alleviating current medical ailments like 
obesity.
  The life science industry employs over 2 million Americans, with the 
San Diego cluster being one of the largest at approximately 40,000 
employees and 700 companies. Through successes in this industry with 
promising advancements like Belviq, more companies and research 
projects can emerge in the region to generate job opportunities. San 
Diego biotechnology is internationally renowned for important 
discoveries in the medical field. Belviq adds another distinction to 
San Diego biotechnology as our region is directly contributing to 
remedying obesity in the United States, which costs the nation $190 
billion per year. These medical breakthroughs not only help our local 
businesses, but also contribute to a healthier America.
  Currently, less than one third of Americans have a healthy body 
weight. Americans across all social and economic groups are 
consequently affected by medical issues caused by being overweight. 
This recent innovation can allow us to look towards a future in which 
less Americans are affected by this serious medical condition and other 
weight-related illnesses. As doctors have been asking for more research 
into new treatments for weight-loss, Belviq begins to answer these 
calls. Now we have taken the first steps in a new approach to obesity 
and will hopefully see new results.
  Congratulations to Mr. Jack Lief of Arena Pharmaceuticals. The work 
of this innovative company will not only be felt in San Diego but 
across this great country.

                          ____________________