Vivus reports more Qsymia sales, in discussions with pharma

Vivus Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) was up $1.17 (10%) to $13.21 on Wednesday after CEO Leland Wilson disclosed on a conference call to discuss the company's 1Q13 earnings that Vivus began discussions with large pharmas to "maximiz[e] the value" of obesity drug Qsymia phentermine/topiramate. Wilson, who said Vivus is exploring how to increase efforts to market Qsymia to primary care physicians, said FDA's approval in April of a REMS modification for Qsymia to allow certified retail pharmacies to dispense the drug removed a "major barrier to gaining interest from major pharma" (see BioCentury Extra, April 16). ...