LOS ANGELES, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Merck & Co's experimental blood clot preventer vorapaxar can cause bleeding in patients who previously suffered a stroke, the drugmaker confirmed on Wednesday.
Merck said last week that an independent committee to monitor clinical trials of the drug determined that vorapaxar was inappropriate for patients with a history of strokes.
The drug, meant to prevent heart attacks and strokes or their recurrence, was considered a crown jewel in Merck's pipeline, and the news erased nearly $8 billion from the company's market value.
Merck said on Wednesday that it informed investigators of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board's recommendations, including observation of 'an increase in intracranial hemorrhage in patients with a history of stroke that is not outweighed by their considerations of potential benefit.'
The company said the committee also recommended that patients without a history of stroke, including those who had a previous heart attack or peripheral arterial disease, continue in the trial.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley. Editing by Robert MacMillan) Keywords: MERCK VORAPAXAR/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Merck said last week that an independent committee to monitor clinical trials of the drug determined that vorapaxar was inappropriate for patients with a history of strokes.
The drug, meant to prevent heart attacks and strokes or their recurrence, was considered a crown jewel in Merck's pipeline, and the news erased nearly $8 billion from the company's market value.
Merck said on Wednesday that it informed investigators of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board's recommendations, including observation of 'an increase in intracranial hemorrhage in patients with a history of stroke that is not outweighed by their considerations of potential benefit.'
The company said the committee also recommended that patients without a history of stroke, including those who had a previous heart attack or peripheral arterial disease, continue in the trial.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley. Editing by Robert MacMillan) Keywords: MERCK VORAPAXAR/ (deena.beasley@thomsonreuters.com; + 1 213-955-6746) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.