Biopharmaceutical firm VIVUS Inc. has confirmed that it has filed a new drug application for its experimental medicine for the treatment of obesity with the US Food and Drug Administration, merely a week after one of its arch rivals filed its own similar application.

In the recent pre-market trading session, VIVUS shares surged by 5.5% to a new high of $10.20. As of Monday's closing, shares of the company have surged by a whopping 82% during this year alone. During the current month, a 19% rise has been recorded.

Calling the filing "a major milestone" for the firm, Chief Executive Leland F. Wilson shared that the Qnexa drug is an important product for the company.

In the medicine's late stage trials, as confirmed by official data released, patients had recorded a weight loss of up-to 14.7% or 37 pounds. Also, significant improvements were seen in weight-related medical problems like hypertension and diabetes.

In addition to VIVUS, two other small scale firms, Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Orexigen Therapeutics Inc. are developing anti-obesity medicines that still require regulatory approvals.