WHITEHOUSE STATION (dpa-AFX) - Merck & Co Inc. (MRK), known as MSD outside U.S. and Canada, announced the top-line results of the Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of atherothrombotic ischemic events or TRA-2P study of vorapaxar. Merck is developing vorapaxar, an investigational oral Protease Activated Receptor 1 thrombin receptor antagonist, for the prevention of thrombosis, or clot formation, and the reduction of cardiovascular events.
TRA-2P demonstrated that vorapaxar addition to standard of care significantly reduced the risk of the protocol-specified primary endpoint of the composite of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke or urgent coronary revascularization compared to standard of care. Also, there was a significant increase in bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage or ICH, among patients taking vorapaxar in addition to standard of care, although there was a lower risk of ICH in patients without a history of stroke, the company added.
Further, Merck said it would review the data from TRA2-P and TRACER with the investigators and other outside experts to help better understand the profile of this investigational medicine in specific patient populations and to determine next steps, including potential regulatory filings. TRA-2P's full results would be presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in March.
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