Merck plans to conduct a number of clinical studies in hypertensive patients involving single and multiple ascending dosing, prior to the selection of a compound to be advanced into Phase II. The most advanced candidate is now being evaluated in the first of these studies, which is a single ascending dose trial in mild to moderate hypertensive patients.
The main objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single ascending doses of this candidate. Subsequent studies will assess multiple ascending doses.
Michele Garufi, chairman and CEO of NicOx, said: “We look forward to continued rapid progress in our collaboration with Merck and to the future introduction of a new anti-hypertensive class on the market.”