Merck Sharp and Dohme reports positive data from fertility drug trial

Merck Sharp and Dohme has reported positive data from a clinical study of a developmental fertility treatment.

Data from the Pursue phase III trial has demonstrated the potential benefits of corifollitropin alfa, an investigational fertility treatment for controlled ovarian stimulation in women participating receiving in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-based therapies.

A single injection of 150 mcg of corifollitropin alfa was shown to be non-inferior to seven daily injections of 300 IU recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in terms of promoting pregnancy.

Merck Sharp and Dohme will use this data to support its plans to file for US regulatory approval of the therapy in 2013.

Dr Robert Boostanfar, study author and a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of Southern California, said: "If approved, corifollitropin alfa may provide clinicians with a different option for women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation prior to IVF and ICSI."

Last week, the company announced a new partnership with AiCuris, which will focus on the development of several new therapies targeting human cytomegalovirus.