Pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) has halted work on osteoporosis treatment odanacatib after an independent study highlighted a heightened stroke risk.
Doubts over the drug surfaced two years ago when Merck suspended its filing with the US Food and Drug Administration after the phase III trial indciated potential safety issues.
At one time, odanacatib was seen as potential blockbuster and the pharma said today that it was disappointed but the overall benefit-risk profile did not support further development.
“We have learned that odanacatib treatment reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures. At the same time, we believe that the increased risk of stroke in our Phase 3 trial does not support further development,” said Roger Perlmutter, the president of Merck Research Laboratories.
The new study was carried out by the American Society for Bone Mineral Research, which is expected to publish its findings later this month.