Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”), its wholly-owned subsidiary Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OREX) jointly announced today that Contrave (naltrexone HCl and bupropion HCl) extended-release tablets are now available to patients by prescription in pharmacies across the United States. Contrave is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese), or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia).

“We’re excited that Contrave is now available and that we are able to provide eligible patients with additional offerings,” said Douglas Cole, president, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. “These offerings include the Scale Down program, a support program for weight management, and Contrave Direct Save, which helps eligible patients to get Contrave at the lowest cost available to them, which can help to support a patient’s complete approach to weight management.”

Eligible patients taking Contrave will have access to the Scale Down program, which provides mobile weight management support with a wireless scale that triggers daily personalized texts based on weigh-ins. Scale Down, LLC is a company that is independent from Takeda and is solely responsible for the program content. Takeda will cover the membership costs associated with the Scale Down program for all eligible patients during the offer period.

For more details, go to: http://www.takeda.com/news/2014/20141021_6799.html