Why Is Actelion Suppressing Phase III Data?

I highly recommend a terrific article by Ian Parker in this week’s New Yorker about Merck’s efforts to develop a novel insomnia drug, suvorexant. Normally I don’t write about non-cardiology topics but I want here to call attention to one small, almost tangential detail buried in the middle of the story. It’s not about the Merck drug but about another orexin antagonist from Actelion, almorexant:…

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FDA Approves Combination Of Ezetimibe And Atorvastatin

The FDA has approved a new combination drug from Merck for lowering cholesterol. The drug, which will carry the brand name of Liptruzet, is a combination of two previously approved cholesterol-lowering drugs, ezetimibe and atorvastatin. Merck said the new drug (pronounced “LIP-true-zett”) would be commercially available starting next week. Liptruzet will be available as a…

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