EU Warns on Sanofi Drug

A weight-loss drug from Sanofi-Aventis(SNY Quote) took another hit Thursday when European health regulators said people with depression shouldn't use the drug.

Known as Acomplia in Europe, where it was approved 13 months ago, the obesity treatment was unanimously opposed by an advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last month. Advisors were concerned that the drug, whose U.S. brand name is Zimulti, would cause psychiatric side effects.

The FDA was scheduled to vote on the drug in July, but it didn't get the chance. On June 29, Sanofi-Aventis withdrew its application, adding that it is "committed to taking all steps necessary" to make the drug available. ...