Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) new cholesterol drug anacetrapib met its primary endpoint in a late-stage REVEAL study. Trial results indicate that the drug significantly reduced heart attacks, deaths and other complications having failed to achieve the same feat in three previous trials.
Anacetrapib Top Line Results
Top line data indicate that the drug could soon act as a reliable treatment for patients struggling with high cholesterol levels known to cause heart attacks, strokes and even death. Current drugs have failed to reduce most of the risks, which anacetrapib successfully addressed. Costs of up to $14,000 for some of the cholesterol drugs has also restricted coverage by insurance companies.
The main difference between Merck’s cholesterol drug and other cholesterol drugs is the fact that it works by blocking a protein called CETP. The drug has also been found to be effective in bolstering HDL level while reducing bad cholesterol levels or LDL. By increasing HDL and reducing LDL, anacetrapib prevents artery clogging buildups, known to trigger heart attacks in some cases.
“Merck plans to review the results of the trial with external experts, and will consider whether to file new drug applications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies,” Merck in a statement.
Positive results from REVEAL study is a big relief for Merck, three previous trials of the CETP inhibitors having turned out negative. Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) was forced to terminate development of its late-stage CETP inhibitor after an independent committee questioned their ability to meet primary endpoints In 2006, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) suspended a let stage development of a CETP inhibitor due to safety concerns.
Merck under Cyber Attack
Separately, Merck has confirmed that its global computers systems were the subject of a cyber-attack early in the week. The pharmaceutical company is among a number of companies held hostage by a ransomware attack that holds files hostage until hackers are paid in return for a decryption key.
Merck says it is currently conducting an internal investigation as it tries to learn what happened and where the attack originated.
Merck stock was down by 0.58% in Wednesday’s trading session to end the day at $65.16 a share.
