Content about Merck

June 13, 2012
Merck releases positive phase-3 data regarding promising insomnia remedy suvorexant

Merck on Wednesday released new data from two pivotal Phase III efficacy trials for suvorexant, the investigational medicine Merck is developing for the treatment of insomnia.

BOSTON — Merck on Wednesday released new data from two pivotal Phase III efficacy trials for suvorexant, the investigational medicine Merck is developing for the treatment of insomnia.

Merck expects to file a new drug application to the Food and Drug Administration in 2012. If approved, suvorexant would be the first medicine approved in a new class of medicines, called orexin receptor antagonists, for use in patients with difficulty falling or staying asleep. Merck anticipates that suvorexant will be evaluated by the Controlled Substance Staff of the FDA.

May 1, 2012
APhA Foundation names recipients of 2012 Pinnacle Awards

The philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association has announced this year's recipients of an award that recognizes pharmacists who increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and promote the use of national treatment guidelines.

WASHINGTON — The philanthropic arm of the American Pharmacists Association has announced this year's recipients of an award that recognizes pharmacists who increase medication adherence, reduce drug misadventures and promote the use of national treatment guidelines.

April 30, 2012
Merck wins patent infringement suits against Mylan

Mylan will be barred from marketing a generic version of a Merck cardiovascular drug until the drug's patent expires, under a court ruling announced Friday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Mylan will be barred from marketing a generic version of a Merck cardiovascular drug until the drug's patent expires, under a court ruling announced Friday.

Merck said the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled against Mylan in two patent infringement suits related to the drugs Zetia (ezetimibe) and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin). Specifically, the court ruled that a patent covering the drug, RE 42,461, is valid and enforceable and enjoined Mylan from launching until the patents expiration in April 2017.

April 20, 2012
Two strategies for managing anemia in hepatitis C patients work equally well, Merck says

Merck is testing two means of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C for anemia, a common side effect of certain treatments for the viral infection, the drug maker said.

BARCELONA, Spain — Merck is testing two means of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C for anemia, a common side effect of certain treatments for the viral infection, the drug maker said.

Merck announced results of a phase-3 study comparing two strategies for managing anemia and how they affect the curing of hepatitis C in patients taking Victrelis (boceprevir) with Pegintron (peginterferon alfa-2b) and ribavirin.

April 16, 2012
Merck, Endocyte sign deal to develop cancer drug

Two drug makers have signed a deal to develop an experimental drug for treating two types of cancer.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Two drug makers have signed a deal to develop an experimental drug for treating two types of cancer.

Merck and Endocyte announced that they would develop and commercialize the latter's drug EC145 (vintafolide), currently in a phase-3 trial, as a treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and a phase-2 trial for non-small cell lung cancer. Both studies are also using Endocyte's experimental diagnostic agent, EC20 (etarfolatide).

April 9, 2012
FDA approves labeling change for Novo Nordisk diabetes drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a change to the label of a Novo Nordisk drug stating that it offers superior blood-sugar control to a competing drug made by Merck, based on results of two clinical studies, Novo Nordisk said Monday.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a change to the label of a Novo Nordisk drug stating that it offers superior blood-sugar control to a competing drug made by Merck, based on results of two clinical studies, Novo Nordisk said Monday.

April 3, 2012
Merck taps 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson for Taking Diabetes to Heart program

Drug maker Merck has introduced a new program that's designed to provide resources and information to help patients with Type 2 diabetes commit to living a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck has introduced a new program that's designed to provide resources and information to help patients with Type 2 diabetes commit to living a diabetes-friendly lifestyle.

March 22, 2012
GSK shares real-world example on how to improve switch through technology

GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday morning presented exactly how technology might improve appropriate patient self-selection before a panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to explore expanding the prescripton-to-over-the-counter switch paradigm by incorporating technology and/or pharmacy participation in the application process.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — GlaxoSmithKline on Thursday morning presented exactly how technology might improve appropriate patient self-selection before a panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration to explore expanding the prescripton-to-over-the-counter switch paradigm by incorporating technology and/or pharmacy participation in the application process.

March 6, 2012
FDA declines to approve Merck cholesterol drug

The Food and Drug Administration is asking for additional data before it approves a new cholesterol drug made by Merck, the drug maker said.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration is asking for additional data before it approves a new cholesterol drug made by Merck, the drug maker said.

Merck said the agency issued a complete response letter for its regulatory approval application for a drug that would combine the cholesterol drug Zetia (ezetimibe) with atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Pfizer's Lipitor. A complete response letter means that the FDA cannot approve a drug application in its current form.

February 17, 2012
ReportersNotebook — Chain Pharmacy, 2/27/12

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said. Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.


SUPPLIER NEWS — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said. Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.


February 14, 2012
Perrigo launches store-brand equivalent to Claritin-D

Perrigo on Tuesday announced that it has begun shipping Loratadine-D 12-hour extended-release tablets.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Tuesday announced that it has begun shipping Loratadine-D 12-hour extended-release tablets.

February 13, 2012
Merck's Zioptan receives regulatory approval

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Merck drug designed to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with certain eye conditions, the company announced.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Merck drug designed to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with certain eye conditions, the company announced.

Zioptan (tafluprost ophthalmic solution), a preservative-free prostaglandin analog ophthalmic solution, is designed to reduce IOP in those with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, which respectively are the most common form of glaucoma and increases in pressure inside the eye.

February 9, 2012
NAFE names its 'Top 50 Companies for Executive Women'

The National Association for Female Executives on Wednesday released its list of the "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women."

NEW YORK — The National Association for Female Executives on Wednesday released its list of the "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women."

General Mills, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble were all listed in the top 10 on that list. Other notable supplier and retail companies included Abbott, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cardinal Health, Colgate-Palmolive, Eli Lilly, Kraft Foods, Merck and Walmart.

February 7, 2012
Investigational Merck drug 'significantly' reduces cardiovascular death

A drug under development by Merck "significantly" reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in patients, according to clinical trial results announced Tuesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A drug under development by Merck "significantly" reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death in patients, according to clinical trial results announced Tuesday.

February 2, 2012
FDA approves Merck diabetes drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.

January 25, 2012
Study: Gardasil doesn't cause autoimmune conditions

A human papillomavirus vaccine created by drug maker Merck does not cause autoimmune conditions after young women are inoculated, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study.

PASADENA, Calif. — A human papillomavirus vaccine created by drug maker Merck does not cause autoimmune conditions after young women are inoculated, according to a new Kaiser Permanente study.

December 21, 2011
Merck's Isentress approved for children, adolescents

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an HIV drug for children and adolescents, the agency said Wednesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved an HIV drug for children and adolescents, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Merck's Isentress (raltegravir) for HIV-1 infection in patients ages 2 to 18 years. The chewable form of the drug will be available for children ages 2 to 11 years.

"Many young children and adolescents are living with HIV, and this approval provides an important additional option for their treatment," FDA Office of Antimicrobial Products director Edward Cox said.

 

December 20, 2011
Ulcerative colitis market to hit $3 billion by 2020

The market for drugs to treat ulcerative colitis will increase from 2010's $1.7 billion to $3 billion in 2020, according to a new report by market research firm Decision Resources.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — The market for drugs to treat ulcerative colitis will increase from 2010's $1.7 billion to $3 billion in 2020, according to a new report by market research firm Decision Resources.

November 3, 2011
FDA approves generic version of Merck's Elestat ophthalmic solution

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Perrigo and PharmaForce/Luitpold Pharmaceuticals for treating eye allergies, Perrigo said.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Perrigo and PharmaForce/Luitpold Pharmaceuticals for treating eye allergies, Perrigo said.

The FDA approved epinastine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in the 0.05% strength. The drug is a generic version of Merck's Elestat, used to treat ocular itching related to allergic conjunctivitis.

Annual sales for the branded version before the appearance of generics on the market were $30 million, according to Wolters Kluwer.

October 6, 2011
Merck chairman announces retirement

Merck chairman Richard Clark is retiring, the company said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck chairman Richard Clark is retiring, the company said Thursday.

Merck announced that Clark, who remained chairman of the company after stepping down as president and CEO in 2010, would retire from the company and its board of directors as of Dec. 1. Kenneth Frazier took over as president and CEO in January 2011, and the board has elected him to serve as chairman following Clark's departure.

October 5, 2011
FDA to review Merck, Ariad drug for bone, soft-tissue sarcomas

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application from Merck and Ariad Pharmaceuticals for a new drug to treat soft-tissue and bone cancers, the drug makers said Wednesday.

The FDA is expected to complete its review of ridaforolimus for soft-tissue and bone sarcomas in patients who have shown a favorable response to chemotherapy by second quarter 2012.

Sarcomas are cancers of the body's connective tissues, and treatment options remain limited, the companies said.

September 21, 2011
UCLA researchers find possible link between diabetes drugs, pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles said they have found a possible link between two new drugs for Type 2 diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and thyroid, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

LOS ANGELES — Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles said they have found a possible link between two new drugs for Type 2 diabetes and cancers of the pancreas and thyroid, according to a new study published in the journal Gastroenterology.

The researchers, at UCLA's Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center, examined incidents reported in the Food and Drug Administration's adverse event database between 2004 and 2009 among patients using Byetta (exenatide), made by Eli Lilly and Amylin Pharmaceuticals, and Merck's Januvia (sitagliptin).

September 19, 2011
Merck drug for HIV effective, tolerated, study results show

A drug made by Merck for treating HIV infection was effective and tolerated in patients regardless of their gender or race, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

CHICAGO — A drug made by Merck for treating HIV infection was effective and tolerated in patients regardless of their gender or race, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

September 14, 2011
Merck responds to Gardasil criticism

Attacks on a human papillomavirus vaccine made amid an increasingly caustic Republican presidential primary battle have drawn a response from the manufacturer.

NEW YORK — Attacks on a human papillomavirus vaccine made amid an increasingly caustic Republican presidential primary battle have drawn a response from the manufacturer.

July 29, 2011
Merck announces plans to trim workforce

Merck disclosed plans to reduce its workforce by 12% to 13% by the end of 2015, the company announced Friday in its second-quarter earnings release.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck disclosed plans to reduce its workforce by 12% to 13% by the end of 2015, the company announced Friday in its second-quarter earnings release.