Positive PhIII can't salvage Merck's anacetrapib, now relegated to the scrap heap
There will be no CETP heart drug miracle in the works at Merck.
The pharma giant looked over a set of positive but troublesome Phase III data for its drug anacetrapib and concluded today that they will relegate it to the same graveyard that has greeted every other CETP heart drug so far.
The decision underscores a tidal shift in drug developer’s standards for launching a big new drug into a major market, where the data has to point to a compelling market opportunity. Failing that, marginal drugs don’t stand a chance, even if they might pass muster at the FDA.
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