Merck Updates: Outcome of Large Clinical Study On Tredaptive Soon
Merck‘s (NYSE:MRK) plan to seek approval of the U.S. FDA for its investigational cardiovascular drug Tredaptive early next year seems to be on the right track as researchers plan to announce the much anticipated results of a large clinical trial “HPS2-Thrive” by early 2013. Tredaptive reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and the clinical trial is being conducted to see the drug’s efficacy in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Merck had earlier unsuccessfully applied for U.S. FDA approval back in 2007, and the FDA asked to wait for the outcome of HSP2-Thrive. [1]
The company may also be getting ready for approval of another investigational cardiovascular drug, Vorapaxar, a blood thinner, at the same time. If approved, these drugs could fend-off a decline in sales within the company’s cardiovascular franchise even as the potential of these drugs remains uncertain. Below we take a look at the prospects of company’s cardiovascular division.
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Declining Cardiovascular Sales
Merck’s sales from cardiovascular drugs were above $10 billion in 2007 but declined to under $7 billion in 2011 mainly due to Cozaar/Hyzaar losing patent exclusivity in major markets including the U.S. and Europe in 2010. Now the company is dependent on Zetia and Vytorin, which together bring nearly 8% of its total sales and 50% of cardiovascular sales. Going forward, we expect total cardiovascular sales (excluding pipeline drugs) to decline due to a number of factors. Zocor, which already lost its patent protection, will likely be further affected by the launching of generic versions of Pfizer‘s (NYSE:PFE) Lipitor, which was the world’s largest selling drug until last year.
New Drugs Could Offset Declines
Due to the aforementioned factors, Merck is hoping for approval for the new drugs sooner rather than later. However, there are a number of concerns about these new drugs. According to some clinical studies, while Vorapaxar lowered the risk of cardiovascular diseases, it also led to an increased risk of major bleeding, including bleeding in the head. [2] Merck will seek approval for use of the drug to prevent cardiovascular issues instead of a broader use, including patients who have suffered a stroke. Additionally, Abbott Labs‘s (NYSE:ABT) Niaspan, a competing drug, is going off-patent in September 2013. This will lead to the launch of cheap generic versions of Niaspan in the market, which could hurt Tredaptive’s sales potential. We have, accordingly, forecast the drugs’ expected sales on the lower side in our model.
Another experimental cardiovascular drug, Anacetrapib, may hold more promise than the aforementioned drugs. Anacetrapib preserved HDL function in preclinical studies and increased reverse cholesterol transport. The recent termination of Roche Holdings‘ (PINK:RHHBY) cholesterol drug Dalcetrapib gives Anacetrapib the opportunity to grab a larger share of the addressable market. [3] However the drug is not likely to receive FDA approval anytime soon. But, it could be launched just before Zetia and Vytorin lose their patent exclusivity.
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Notes:- Results for Merck’s Tredaptive seen in early 2013, MarketWatch, Nov 19 2012 [↩]
- Merck will seek approval of 2 heart drugs in 2013, Businessweek, August 2012 [↩]
- Roche abandons potential blockbuster cholesterol drug, fiercebiotech.com, May 7, 2012 [↩]