Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) said that in a phase IIb study in 589 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemia treated with anacetrapib as monotherapy or co-administered with atorvastatin, there were persistent lipid effects in the higher dose arms in both the monotherapy and co-administration treatment groups eight weeks after stopping active therapy with anacetrapib.
Anacetrapib is an investigational oral compound currently in Phase III trials that works by inhibiting the activity of CETP in the blood. CETP inhibition with anacetrapib decreases LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increases HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The effect of CETP inhibition on cardiovascular risk has yet to be established.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.