Merck's New Drugs For Arthritis And Infections

26 May 1996

Merck & Co has released details of four new compounds, which are already in clinical trials, at a pharmaceutical analysts' briefing. Two of the drugs are anti-inflammatories, one is an antifungal and one is an antibiotic.

The lead anti-inflammatory compound, MK-966, is a selective inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase-2, like Boehringer Ingelheim's recently-launched drug Mobic (meloxicam; Marketletter May 20). By targeting this enzyme without inhibiting the related COX-2 version, these agents hope to provide the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) without their gastrointestinal side effects.

MK-966 is in Phase II trials, and will be evaluated in large-scale studies for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. A second member of this new class, L-752,860, has shown even greater selectivity for COX-2 and is currently in Phase I safety trials, according to Merck.

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free.  A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Login to your account

Become a subscriber

 

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now
  • Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
  • Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
  • Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
  • Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
  • Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription
The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK



Companies featured in this story

More ones to watch >


Today's issue

Company Spotlight