Merck's vorapaxar meets Phase III endpoint

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) said vorapaxar met the composite primary endpoint in the Phase III TRA-2P trial to treat and prevent arterial thrombosis associated with atherosclerosis. The product plus standard of care significantly reduced the incidence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke or urgent coronary revascularization vs. placebo plus SOC. The vorapaxar arm showed a significant increase in bleeding vs. the placebo arm. The trial enrolled 26,449 patients with a prior heart attack, ischemic stroke or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Standard of care was clopidogrel or aspirin. Vorapaxar is a protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) antagonist that inhibits thrombin-induced platelet activation. ...