The pharmaceutical companies, the largest two in the US, are developing the drug ertugliflozin for use alone and in combination with Merck’s best-selling Januvia. Pfizer sought the relationship with Merck because Januvia is the leading drug in its class, Rusnak said. The trial will be expanded to 8,000 people at high risk for heart disease to determine whether the treatment helps the heart. Merck’s Januvia, the top drug for the Kenilworth, New Jersey-based company, didn’t harm the heart in a study conducted to rule out any increased risk. The details of that study, called Leader, will be presented at the diabetes meeting on Monday.

Source: Mint June 11, 2016 16:52 UTC