Look at it this way - Sanofi’s loss is Glaxo’s gain. Even though the FDA won’t make its final decision on Acomplia until the end of next month, the odds don’t look good that the agency will approve a diet pill that increases suicidal risk. Remember that some people may be depressed about their weight.

This is nothing but good news, of course, for beleaguered Glaxo, which has lost $15 billion in market cap and suffered a tarnished reputation in recent weeks over Avandia. The timing, in fact, is, well, delicious, because Glaxo just this week launched Alli, an over-the-counter version of the Xenical prescription med.

Without Acomplia as competition, Glaxo doesn’t have to worry so much about the minimal weight loss Alli can offer, even with dieting and exercise, or those unpleasant side effects - oily leakage and stools - that prompts the drugmaker to advise patients to bring extra underwear to work. (Pants for those of you in the UK).

And here’s another possible side effect - increased sales of underwear. If you missed this year’s run-up in Crocs stock, perhaps you can compensate by investing in Sara Lee, Warnaco, Hanesbrands or The Gap. After all, what do you think will happen to all those orange undies that must be taken off after lunch? They won’t be thrown in the desk drawer now, will they?