Study of Weight-Reducing Effect and Safety of Rimonabant In Obesity in ASIA (RIO-ASIA)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body mass index (BMI)> 25 kg/m²

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of stable weight (variation < 5 kg) within three months prior to screeningvisit),

• Absence of effective contraceptive method for females of childbearing potential,

• Presence of treated or untreated type 1 or type 2 diabetes,

• Systolic blood pressure > 165 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 105 mm Hg on 2consecutive visits from the screening to the inclusion visit,

• Presence of secondary hypertension,

• Patients with conditions/concomitant diseases making them non evaluable for theprimary efficacy endpoint (presence of any clinically significant endocrine diseaseaccording to the Investigator, obesity of known endocrine origin...)

• Presence of any severe medical or psychological condition or chronicconditions/infections that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise thepatient's safety or successful participation in the study,

• Presence of any clinically significant abnormality according to the Investigator onthe ECG performed on the inclusion visit.

• Presence or history of cancer within the past five years with the exception ofadequately treated localized basal cell skin cancer or in situ uterine cervicalcancer.

• Related to previous or concomitant medications :

• Drugs affecting weight (e.g., sibutramine, orlistat, herbal preparations, etc).

• Antidiabetic drugs.

• Related to laboratory findings:

• Positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen and/or hepatitis C antibody.

• Abnormal TSH level (TSH > ULN or < LLN).

• Positive urine pregnancy test.