UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2008

 

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

000-31161

 

23-2908305

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

6166 Nancy Ridge Drive, San Diego, California 92121

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

858.453.7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


 

In this report, “Arena Pharmaceuticals,” “Arena,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise provides.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

Collaboration updates

 

Merck & Co., Inc. has completed a Phase 1 program of a second generation oral niacin receptor agonist under its collaboration with us to discover drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders. Having evaluated safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled program, Merck is planning to initiate a Phase 2 clinical program in the first half of 2009.

 

Based on data from preclinical studies, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. discontinued a Phase 1 clinical trial of a drug candidate intended for the treatment of a common psychiatric disorder, which was being developed under its partnership with us.

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: October 28, 2008

 

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Jack Lief

 

 

 

Jack Lief

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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