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):  January 25, 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.

 

On January 25, 2008, we announced that Merck & Co., Inc. initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of a second generation oral niacin receptor agonist under our collaboration with Merck to discover drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders. The initiation of this trial does not trigger a milestone payment.

 

We also announced that preclinical investigation of MK-0354, a first generation niacin receptor agonist being evaluated for indications other than atherosclerosis, was discontinued for compound specific reasons.

 

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: January 25, 2008

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ Jack Lief

 

 

Jack Lief

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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