ARENA TO BEGIN TRIAL FOR OBESITY DRUG CANDIDATE

Arena Pharmaceuticals has reported that based on the 12- and six-month preclinical toxicology studies of the company's obesity drug candidate, APD356, the company expects to initiate a Phase III program in the second half of 2006.

APD356 is a novel and selective 5-HT2C receptor agonist for obesity. Based on preclinical data, APD356 has been shown to help patients reduce their weight in an effective, safe and controlled manner.