Merck & Co. said Friday it would discontinue the development of the investigational combination regimens MK-3682B and MK-3682C for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, after a review of available Phase 2 efficacy data. The drug maker also considered the growing number of treatment options available, including Merck’s own Zepatier. “We will continue to study ZEPATIER to understand even more about its role in treating chronic hepatitis C infection and will continue to work with others to help bring Zepatier to appropriate patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 or 4 infection, the genotypes which make up the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection,” said Eliav Barr, senior vice president at Merck Research Laboratories. The stock, which was inactive in premarket trade, has slipped 0.1% over the past three months, while the SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF has shed 2.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has gained 5.1%.
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