Merck Blood Thinner Study Ends in Stroke Patients, Limiting Possible Sales
By Michelle Fay Cortez - Jan 13, 2011 7:58 AM MT
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Studies of Merck & Co.’s anti- clotting drug vorapaxar, a product analysts said may generate $5 billion in sales, were halted for patients with a previous stroke, potentially limiting its use.
Interim study results suggest the experimental medication, which uses a novel method to prevent platelets within blood from clumping together, isn’t appropriate for people who suffered a stroke, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Duke Clinical Research Institute said in a statement today. The trial was stopped by an overview board, the institutes said.
The drug was expected to generate peak sales of $5 billion or more a year for Whitehouse Station, New Jersey Merck, if the treatment is proved safe and effective, said Robert Hazlett, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets in New York. The drug is still in development for patients with a previous heart attack or blood clots deep in the legs. Merck declined $2.30, or 6.2 percent, to $45.85 at 9:55 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
The drugmaker previously said it plans to file for U.S. regulatory approval of the medication this year. The medicine is intended to prevent cardiac complications and deaths in patients with previous stroke, heart attacks, severe chest pain or blood clots in the legs known as peripheral arterial disease.
If approved, The drug would compete against the blood thinners Plavix from Sanofi-Aventis SA and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and Effient from Eli Lilly & Co.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Fay Cortez in Minneapolis at mcortez@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reg Gale at rgale5@bloomberg.net
By Michelle Fay Cortez - Jan 13, 2011 7:58 AM MT
inShare
More Print Email
Studies of Merck & Co.’s anti- clotting drug vorapaxar, a product analysts said may generate $5 billion in sales, were halted for patients with a previous stroke, potentially limiting its use.
Interim study results suggest the experimental medication, which uses a novel method to prevent platelets within blood from clumping together, isn’t appropriate for people who suffered a stroke, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Duke Clinical Research Institute said in a statement today. The trial was stopped by an overview board, the institutes said.
The drug was expected to generate peak sales of $5 billion or more a year for Whitehouse Station, New Jersey Merck, if the treatment is proved safe and effective, said Robert Hazlett, an analyst at BMO Capital Markets in New York. The drug is still in development for patients with a previous heart attack or blood clots deep in the legs. Merck declined $2.30, or 6.2 percent, to $45.85 at 9:55 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
The drugmaker previously said it plans to file for U.S. regulatory approval of the medication this year. The medicine is intended to prevent cardiac complications and deaths in patients with previous stroke, heart attacks, severe chest pain or blood clots in the legs known as peripheral arterial disease.
If approved, The drug would compete against the blood thinners Plavix from Sanofi-Aventis SA and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., and Effient from Eli Lilly & Co.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michelle Fay Cortez in Minneapolis at mcortez@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reg Gale at rgale5@bloomberg.net
