And then there's Sanofi-Aventis (Research)'s much...

And then there's Sanofi-Aventis (Research)'s much anticipated
anti-obesity pill, Acomplia, a medicine that proves the drug industry
is still capable of dazzling artistry. Rather than addressing appetite
suppression via the gut, like other fat-fighting medicines, Sanofi's
researchers probed the brain's cannabinoid receptors (the same ones
that produce a euphoric tingle after a few puffs of marijuana). By
jamming signals sent to them, Acomplia suppresses appetite --
particularly, Sanofi claims, the urge for fatty foods and sugary
treats. The drug could thus be used as a diabetes treatment as well.
And since it's been shown to help curb the desire for cigarettes too,
it could also be approved as a smoking-cessation aid.

In short, it's potentially a wonder drug, with analysts projecting
peak annual sales between $2 billion and $5 billion. "In the area of
obesity, patients are forever looking for a magic bullet," says Tim
Anderson, an analyst with Prudential Equity Group, "which suggests
that when Acomplia first launches, its uptake will be rapid." That's
just the kind of boost Big Pharma needs.