Merck & Co nixes two mid-stage trials due to safety signals

26 October 2023

US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) has opted to pull the plug on two mid-stage trials of Alzheimer’s disease candidate MK-1942, due to safety worries.

The small molecule has been designed to promote the release of a certain chemical in the brain, glutamate, which scientists at the company believe could help treat a number of conditions.

As well as Alzheimer’s, Merck has been testing the candidate for people with difficult-to-treat major depressive disorder (MDD), who are on a stable course of antidepressant therapy.

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