MSD presents Inegy data

Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD) has announced the publication of the results of a trial comparing Inegy (ezetimibe/simvastatin) with Lipitor (atorvastatin) for the reduction of LDL cholesterol in patients with type two diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol.

The results, published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, showed a 53.6 mean per cent reduction in baseline levels of LDL cholesterol in those treated with 10/20mg of Inegy, compared with 38.3 per cent being treated with 10mg of Lipitor and 44.6 per cent being treated with 20mg of Lipitor.

Inegy functions by preventing the production of cholesterol in the liver and absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

Theodore Mazzone, professor of the departments of medicine and pharmacology at the University of Illinois, said: “Patients with diabetes and high cholesterol are considered to be in the high risk category for heart disease, according to the National Cholesterol Eduction Program Adult Treatment Panel III.”

He added that the trials had shown that Inegy had exhibited greater efficacy than Lipitor in the reduction of LDL when starting doses and next highest doses were compared.

Earlier this year, MSD announced that the recent US approval of Januvia for the treatment of type two diabetes underlines the company’s dedication to developing pharmaceuticals in this field.