Merck & Co.’s Big Ambition To ‘Democratize’ PCSK9s

Phase III studies testing the oral PCSK9 inhibitor MK-0616 for high cholesterol will begin in the second half of the year and include a broad program enrolling primary and secondary prevention patients.

go big — Merck & Co. is planning a big Phase III program for its oral PCSK9 inhibitor • Source: Shutterstock

Merck & Co., Inc. is moving aggressively to bring the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor to market and outlined an ambitious late-stage clinical trial program for MK-0616 during an investor event at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting on 6 March.

Merck is looking to develop MK-0616 for a broad audience, and with oral administration, the company believes the drug could...