Cordaptive™ Cholesterol Drug - Merck & Co

Merck & Company announced that the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) had accepted it's New Drug Application for Cordaptive™ for a standard review. Cordaptive™, in earlier Phase I and II trials, has been shown to be effective in raising HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.

Cordaptive™ is a combination of extended release Niacin and laropiprant (to help with a known side-effect of Niacin called "flushing").

In early September, Merck also reported that Phase III trials of Cordaptive™ had reduced LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and reduced triglyceride levels compared to placebo.

During the trial, Cordaptive™ was given both as a monotherapy and also added to patients currently using statin therapy. Patients given Cordaptive™ showed significantly less flushing than those receiving only the extended release Niacin.

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol LDL HDL laropiprantcordaptive

Merck's Investigational CETP-Inhibitor, MK-0859 - anacetrapib

Merck and Co. announced yesterday that in Phase IIb study results, anacetrapib significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) both alone and in combination with atorvastatin 20 mg compared to placebo in patients with dyslipidemia.

Several dosages were tested during the eight week study, from 10 to 300 mg. LDL-C levels were reduced from 16% to 40% and HDL-C levels were increased from 44% to 139%.

Dosages were also tested in combination with atorvastatin and produced significant incremental reductions in LDL-C and increases in HDL-C when compared to atorvastatin alone.

Another bright spot - there was no significant indication of raised blood pressure during the test.

Technorati Tags: Cholesterol LDL HDL anacetrapibatorvastatin