Merck: Expanding investigational drug pipeline caused by Schering-Plough merger

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. Merck has more than 20 investigational drugs in late-stage development, thanks to its merger with Schering-Plough, the drug maker said at a briefing Tuesday.

“This merger was about creating a new global healthcare leader, and we are well on our way,” chairman and CEO Richard Clark said. “Today’s Merck has excellent capabilities across pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biologics; a robust late-stage pipeline with the potential to sustain near- and long-term growth; a broader product portfolio and an expanded global footprint.”

Drugs in development include MK-0822 (odanacatib), for osteoporosis, SCH 503034 (boceprevir), for hepatitis C, the cancer drug MK-0646 (dalotuzumab) and the women’s fertility drug SCH 900962 (corifollitropin alfa).