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Merck On Track To File Novel Sleep Aid Suvorexant In 2012

 
• By Shirley Haley

Merck announced its potential first-in-class dual orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant successfully completed a second Phase III trial, apparently without safety concerns that led Actelion/GlaxoSmithKline to drop their DORA almorexant a year ago on Phase III results.

Merck & Co. Inc. reported its experimental first-in-class sleep aid suvorexant successfully completed its Phase III registrational program, a possible move to dispel doubt about the safety of the class after Actelion Ltd. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC scrapped their dual orexin receptor antagonist a year ago for undisclosed safety concerns revealed in Phase III results.

The novel insomnia drug is on track for a 2012 filing, Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck announced Feb. 6. No data...

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