Telcagepant failure is a headache for Merck (and perhaps Pfizer) but a break for others

While Merck’s latest job cuts were at the fore of its Q2 update (scripintelligence.com, 1 August 2011), the discontinuation of its promising Phase III acute migraine therapy telcagepant is also notable and will add to the company’s woes. It had been expected to become an important treatment option for migraineurs and compete with the triptan class, the standard of care for the past 20 years. Without telcagepant, the acute migraine market will contract, leaving the prophylactic treatment of migraine as the biggest opportunity for developers.

Merck’s decision to discontinue telcagepant was based on an assessment of data across the clinical program, including findings from a recently completed 6-month Phase III study, according to the company.