Merck ends study of cholesterol drug

Merck & Co. has halted a study of an experimental drug it had touted as key to energizing its sagging cholesterol franchise, barely three weeks after U.S. regulators refused to allow sales of the drug.

The drugmaker said Wednesday an advisory committee recommended ending the study of cholesterol drug MK-0524A, two months after the same scientists urged enrollment of more patients be put on hold. MK-0524A combines the B vitamin niacin and a drug called laropiprant to limit the facial flushing caused by niacin.

The halted study, called ACHIEVE, used ultrasound imaging to monitor plaque buildup in arteries of people whose genes give them sky-high cholesterol levels — the same kind of patients and technology in a study of Merck's popular Vytorin cholesterol drug that backfired earlier this year.

Epharma - Landing Page