Gastric band helps less obese people lose weight

Allergan says its gastric band helps a much wider group of obese people lose weight, according to documents published on Wednesday.

Allergan, the biggest maker of Botox (injections for wrinkles), breast implants and other cosmetic products, plans to market its Lap-Band to people who are less obese than current users, which could boost sales.

Allergan's shares rose 0.3% to close at 66.46 dollars on the New York Stock Exchange.

Reviewers from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a public report that Allergan's study showed "significant weight loss in all obesity groups". The agency will soon decide whether to allow the band to be marketed to less obese people.

Obesity is measured by the body mass index (BMI). The company wants approval to market the band to people with a BMI of 35 or more, or 30 or more with an obesity-related illness such as high blood pressure, instead of the current BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more with an illness.

This means that someone 170 cm tall weighing 105 kg is overweight, with a BMI of 36.3. At present a gastric band is not recommended for them unless they have an obesity-related illness. If the FDA approves the change, it will be.

There are currently 17 million Americans eligible for the gastric band, and approval for a wider group would add another 27 million, the company says.

The study included 149 people in the less obese group, and 81% of them lost about 30% of their excess weight within a year. There were no unexpected complications. 2% had device-related complications classed as serious: in one the band was removed, and in another it was put back in a new operation after it slipped.

FDA officials have some questions about the study. They say it may not represent the wide range of Americans targeted, as most of the people studied were white women and Black men were not adequately represented.

Experts expect Allergan's sales of the band to reach 390 million dollars by 2016. Allergan controls two thirds of the gastric band market, which is worth 300 to 400 million dollars.

The device is a band placed surgically around the top of the stomach, narrowing it and limiting how much food can be eaten. The operation costs 12,000 to 20,000 dollars. It is less invasive than other operations such as stomach stapling or gastric bypass, which involve cutting the stomach and rerouting the digestive tract.

More than 72 million Americans are obese, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers. Attempts to control obesity with pills have failed, leading many patients to turn to surgery.

Doctors may prescribe the device for anyone they think suitable, but the company may only market it according to the regulator's rules.