Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

MRK discontinues Odanacatib program due to stroke risk (not surprising based on data in #msg-106287856):

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/merck-provides-odanacatib-development-program-110000853.html

Merck today announced that it is discontinuing the development of odanacatib, Merck’s investigational cathepsin K inhibitor for osteoporosis, and will not seek regulatory approval for its use. Merck previously reported a numeric imbalance in adjudicated stroke events in the pivotal Phase 3 fracture outcomes study in postmenopausal women. The company has decided to discontinue development after an independent adjudication and analysis of major adverse cardiovascular events confirmed an increased risk of stroke.

Not that long ago, Odanacatib was considered one of MRK’s top-4 pipeline compounds, along with Keytruda, Anacetrapib, and MK-8931 (BACE inhibitor)—see #msg-88122327.