1. Scrip
  2. >>R&D
  3. >>Clinical Trials

M&A Pressure Mounts For Merck & Co After Alzheimer's Drug Dismissed

 
• By Lucie Ellis-Taitt

Merck's verubecestat has flopped in a second Phase III Alzheimer's trial; investors are anticipating M&A or licensing deals soon to bring something new into the big pharma's development portfolio.

Doors
As one door closes will another one open for Merck as it seeks novel pipeline assets?

Merck & Co. Inc. has ended development of its BACE inhibitor verubecestat for the treatment of patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, after the second Phase III trial for the drug crashed. The pressure is now on for Merck to bring new, exciting opportunities into its pipeline.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Clinical Trials

Sebela’s Tegoprazan Poised For GERD Market

 
• By Jessica Merrill

Two Phase III trials testing tegoprazan read out positively, but the potassium-competitive acid blocker will compete with Phathom’s Voquezna (vonoprazan).

Pipeline Watch: Eight Approvals And Three Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.

MetaVia’s ‘Safe’ Obesity Drug Resonates With Analysts, But Not Investors

 
• By Joseph Haas

The biotech reported Phase I multiple-ascending dose data for its obesity drug for the second time in a week, but its safety and tolerability do not offset concerns about relatively unimpressive weight reduction.

Arbele Leverages Rights As It Drugs Proprietary CDH17 Target

 
• By Dexter Jie Yan

Arbele has emerged as a global leader in the Cadherin 17 area, not only in clinical progress but also for its “secret recipe” for application in T-cell engagers, its CEO tells Scrip.

More from R&D

MetaVia’s ‘Safe’ Obesity Drug Resonates With Analysts, But Not Investors

 
• By Joseph Haas

The biotech reported Phase I multiple-ascending dose data for its obesity drug for the second time in a week, but its safety and tolerability do not offset concerns about relatively unimpressive weight reduction.

Roche US Exports To Exceed Imports After New $50bn Investment

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

A brand new R&D center in Massachusetts and a giant manufacturing site for its future obesity drugs are among the key investments in the US.

Enhertu Takes The First-Line Throne In HER2 Metastatic Breast Cancer

 
• By Jessica Merrill

AstraZeneca and Daiichi’s DESTINY-Breast09 trial testing Enhertu with pertuzumab versus standard of care showed a statistically significant and meaningful PFS improvement.