Merck continues anacetrapib CVOT

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) intends to continue the 30,000-patient REVEAL cardiovascular outcomes trial (CVOT) of cholesteryl ester transfer protein ( CETP) inhibitor anacetrapib ( MK-0859) to treat coronary heart disease (CHD). The company said a data monitoring committee examined safety and efficacy data from the study and performed a futility assessment in a pre-planned interim analysis, and recommended it continue with no changes.

Merck expects final results from REVEAL in early 2017, and has not planned any more interim analyses. The company said in 2010 that anacetrapib met the primary endpoint in the Phase III DEFINE trial to treat CHD (see BioCentury Extra, Nov. 17, 2010). ...