Arena, Merck end atherosclerosis drug development

By Elaine Rigoli

Tampa, Fla., Sept. 25 - Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said an investigational niacin receptor agonist that was being developed under its partnership with Merck & Co., Inc. to develop drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders is no longer in development for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

The San Diego clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company said Merck made the decision to discontinue development of MK-0354 following completion of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial that evaluated patients with dyslipidemia.

Although MK-0354 is no longer being developed for the treatment of atherosclerosis, preclinical studies are underway to explore other possible indications for this compound.

Also, exploration of additional investigational niacin receptor agonists for the treatment of atherosclerosis and related disorders will continue under the partnership, the company said in a news release.

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