BRIEF—Last hopes for CETP inhibition fade, as Merck finally scraps anacetrapib

Shares in Merck & Co are off 1% at $63.63 in after-hours trading, after the New Jerseyan giant revealed it would drop its experimental cholesterol drug anacetrapib.

Merck’s Roger Perlmutter said: “Unfortunately, after comprehensive evaluation, we have concluded that the clinical profile for anacetrapib does not support regulatory filings.”

“We are deeply grateful to the researchers and patients who participated in the anacetrapib clinical development program, and in particular the REVEAL outcomes study.”