Merck Sharp and Dohme reveals cardiovascular drug developments

Merck Sharp and Dohme has provided an update on the development of three important cardiovascular disease therapies at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Munich.

The company confirmed that its investigational anti-thrombotic medicine will be submitted for US and EU regulatory approval in 2013, based on positive clinical trial data.

It is also planning to file for approval of its new extended release niacin/laropiprant combination, also known as Tredaptive, with the key HPS2-Thrive study on track to be completed later this year.

Meanwhile, progress is also being made on the Reveal study of the drug anacetrapib, which will enrol 30,000 patients by 2013 and is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Dr Jeff Chodakewitz, senior vice-president for late-stage development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "Merck remains committed to research to bring forward innovations in cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide."

Last month, the company expanded its portfolio by acquiring licensing deals for a pair of investigational HIV drug candidates developed by Chimerix and Yamasa Corporation.