obesity

Vivus Shares Rally on Hopes Obesity Drug Will Gain Approval Next Year

Vivus shares are soaring this morning, even though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected the drugmaker's obesity drug Qnexa yesterday. Investors are hoping that the FDA's rejection, which includes a request for more safety data -- not another clinical trial -- will lead to approval next year.

Former McDonald's Manager Not Lovin' His Weight Gain

McDonald's has lost a $17,500 lawsuit from a former franchise manager in Brazil, who says he put on 65 pounds during his 12 years of working for the chain. The former employee blames the company's policy of mandatory food sampling and free employee lunches for his weight gain.

Abbott Pulls Weight Loss Drug Meridia from Market

Drug and medical-device maker Abbott Laboratories announced Friday that it will voluntarily withdraw its controversial obesity drug Meridia, (sibutramine) from the U.S. market at the request of the FDA, due to concerns it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Life Expectancy: The U.S. Falls Short, Despite High Spending

A new study from Columbia University finds that the reasons America is lagging other countries aren't the commonly cited obesity, smoking, traffic fatalities and homicide. Rather, the problem has been poor health care, or rather, a poor health care system.

New Study: Obesity Is Bad for Your Bottom Line

Obesity is expensive. Each year, obese American men pay an additional $2,646 to carry their extra weight, while obese women pay $4,879. That's the surprising result of a new study on the individual cost of obesity.

FDA Panel Votes Against Arena's Diet Drug

Another diet drug, Arena Pharmaceuticals's Iorcaserin, appears to be in danger after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted to reject it Thursday.

Daily Blogwatch: Are All Hedge Funds Scams?

Among Tuesday's top stories for investors: How do dividend-paying stocks stack up against non-dividend-paying stocks? Is Facebook making it easier for stalkers? Are all hedge funds scams?

Orexigen Shares Soar on Partnership Deal With Takeda

Orexigen jumped over 25% in premarket trading after announcing an exclusive partnership agreement potentially worth over $1 billion with Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical to develop and commercialize Contrave, Orexigen's promising obesity drug.

'Fructose-Slurping' Cancer Could Sour the Soda Business

Soda and processed-food makers insist that all sugars are the same. Yet with studies linking fructose to obesity, diabetes and, most recently, pancreatic cancer, big brands are quietly backing away from using corn-based high-fructose sweetener. Could it eventually become another tobacco-like liability?