Content about WHITEHOUSE STATION

April 5, 2011
Merck eyes Inspire

Drug maker Merck is looking to boost its eye care portfolio by acquiring a company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products. The deal carries a cash value of about $430 million.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck is looking to boost its eye care portfolio by acquiring a company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products. The deal carries a cash value of about $430 million.

March 9, 2011
Merck seeks FDA approval for Saflutan

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

Merck is seeking approval for Saflutan (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution, an investigational drug for relieving eye pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

February 4, 2011
Coppertone rolls out foaming lotion sunscreens

Coppertone, which is made by Merck's Consumer Care division, is gearing up for summer with its new foaming lotion sunscreens.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Coppertone, which is made by Merck's Consumer Care division, is gearing up for summer with its new foaming lotion sunscreens.

"Our breakthrough foaming lotion technology offered the opportunity to reinvent our Water Babies and Oil Free products," stated Patricia Agin, fellow in skin care research and development at the Solar Research Center. "We continuously innovate to meet consumers' evolving needs for gentle protection in easy-to-use formulas."

The new products for 2011 include:

February 3, 2011
Study: Gardasil is effective in preventing genital warts among males

Merck’s vaccine for human papillomavirus is 89% effective in preventing genital warts in teenage boys and young men, according to a new study.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck’s vaccine for human papillomavirus is 89% effective in preventing genital warts in teenage boys and young men, according to a new study.

The phase-3 study of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) in boys and men ages 16 to 26 years was published in the Feb. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Human papillomavirus is the cause of genital and anal warts, and infection can increase the risk of developing cancer later in life.

January 12, 2011
Merck to develop biosimilars with Parexel

Drug maker Merck and drug industry services organization Parexel International will work together to develop biosimilars, the two said Wednesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Drug maker Merck and drug industry services organization Parexel International will work together to develop biosimilars, the two said Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Parexel will give Merck BioVentures access to clinical and regulatory services for the development of biosimilars. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

January 11, 2011
FDA accepts application for extended-release Janumet

The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a drug to treat Type 2 diabetes made by Merck, the drug maker said Tuesday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a drug to treat Type 2 diabetes made by Merck, the drug maker said Tuesday.

Merck announced the acceptance of its application for extended-release Janumet, which combines in a single pill the active ingredient sitagliptin with extended-release metformin, a drug commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes.

January 6, 2011
Merck's hepatitis C drug granted priority review by FDA

The Food and Drug Administration granted priority review to an approval application for a hepatitis C drug made by Merck, the drug maker said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration granted priority review to an approval application for a hepatitis C drug made by Merck, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck said the FDA would seek to complete its review of the application for the drug boceprevir within six months. Authorities in the European Union have granted expedited review as well.

December 23, 2010
FDA approves Merck's Gardasil for prevention of anal cancer

Merck on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Gardasil [human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant] for the prevention of anal cancer in males and females 9 to 26 years of age.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — Merck on Wednesday announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved Gardasil [human papillomavirus quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant] for the prevention of anal cancer in males and females 9 to 26 years of age.

According to the company, Gardasil is the first HPV vaccine on the market available for use in both men and women, and the only one indicated  to help prevent cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancers and pre-cancers, as well as genital warts, caused by certain types of HPV.

December 2, 2010
Merck to acquire SmartCells

Merck announced on Thursday it has inked a deal to acquire an insulin maker.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., and BEVERLY, Mass. (Dec. 2) Merck announced on Thursday it has inked a deal to acquire an insulin maker.

November 30, 2010
Merck's president steps in as new CEO

The president of drug maker Merck now will fill an additional position at the company: CEO.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The president of drug maker Merck now will fill an additional position at the company: CEO.

Merck's board of directors elected president and board member Kenneth Frazier as the company's next leader, effective Jan. 1. Frazier will succeed Richard Clark, who has served as Merck's CEO since 2005. Clark will continue as chairman of the board, the drug maker said.

November 16, 2010
FDA advisory committee recommends expanded use of Gardasil

A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended expanded approval of a vaccine for...

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended expanded approval of a vaccine for genital warts.

Merck announced Wednesday that the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended approval of Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16 and 18] vaccine, recombinant) for males and females ages 9 to 26 years to prevent anal cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, both diseases that result from infection by the human papillomavirus.

November 16, 2010
Merck's cardiovascular drug improves cholesterol levels in patients during late-stage trial

Patients taking an investigational treatment for cardiovascular disease showed big improvements in cholesterol levels, according...

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Patients taking an investigational treatment for cardiovascular disease showed big improvements in cholesterol levels, according to late-stage clinical trial results released Wednesday.

 

September 21, 2010
Drug offerings expand under Merck Helps programs

Merck is expanding its patient assistance program, the drug maker said Wednesday....

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck is expanding its patient assistance program, the drug maker said Wednesday.

September 8, 2010
FDA approves expanded use of Saphris

Merck's supplemental drug applications for its atypical antipsychotic received approval from the Food and Drug...

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck's supplemental drug applications for its atypical antipsychotic received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the drug maker said.

Saphris now is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults, as monotherapy for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults, and as adjunctive therapy with either lithium or valproate for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults, Merck said.

August 23, 2010
Dr. Scholl's gives women a shoe break with Fast Flats

Merck Consumer Care on Tuesday announced the launch of Dr. Scholl's For Her Fast Flats,...

August 11, 2010
Merck, Sesame Workshop give consumers 'food for thought'

Merck has teamed up with the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street" to develop a...

August 1, 2010
Merck discloses Q2 earnings

Merck had global sales of $11.3 billion and profits of $752 million during second quarter...

April 20, 2010
MassBiologics grants licensing agreement to Merck for tetanus-diphtheria vaccine

A biotech developer owned by the University of Massachusetts Medical School has granted drug maker...

BOSTON A biotech developer owned by the University of Massachusetts Medical School has granted drug maker Merck exclusive U.S. rights to its tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, Merck announced Wednesday.