MSD’s ERN ‘significantly reduces flushing’

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has presented the results of a trial into its MK-0524 treatment, a DP1-receptor antagonist, combined with extended-release niacin (ERN), revealing that it successfully reduced flushing in dyslipidemia patients.

Presenting its data at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2006, MSD claimed that the treatment “significantly” decreased flushing, a side effect of niacin which causes blood vessel dilation near the skin, compared to patients treated solely with ERN.

Commenting on the results of the study, Christie M Ballantyne, associate chief and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, said that while niacin is considered to be a “proven” treatment for the reduction of cardiovascular events, flushing has “limited” its widespread use.

“These data demonstrated that MK-0524 significantly decreased the incidence and intensity of flushing that occurred in many patients taking extended-release niacin compared to that experienced by patients taking extended-release niacin plus placebo,” she claimed.

The company is developing the MK-0524A, which is currently undergoing Phase III trials, to enable the delivery of niacin in pill-form without the same level of flushing discomfort experienced by a number of patients.

Last year, MSD, which has undertakes research in a number of countries worldwide, recorded sales of $22 billion (11.65 billion pounds).