Merck KGaA has decided to abandon an experimental heart drug it was acquiring through its takeover of Silence Therapeutics Plc. The move comes after a similar treatment by Novartis AG failed in clinical trials, raising doubts about the effectiveness of this treatment approach.
The drug in question, zerlasiran, was designed to lower lipoprotein(a), a cholesterol-carrying particle linked to cardiovascular risks. Merck stated it will no longer pursue advanced studies for zerlasiran, effectively halting its development.
This decision adds to growing skepticism about a once-promising method for treating heart disease. The failure of Novartis's trial has cast a shadow over similar experimental drugs, prompting Merck to reassess its strategy.