Merck Presents Results of Short-Term Phase II Studies of Sitagliptin

Results from three recent Phase II studies announced today showed that sitagliptin phosphate (MK-0431), Merck's investigational medicine in a potentially new class of agents for the treatment for diabetes called DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) inhibitors significantly improved glycemic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes compared to placebo.

In addition, sitagliptin was generally well-tolerated, with overall adverse events similar to placebo. These data in more than 1,000 patients from two short-term, 12-week, placebo-controlled, dose-range finding studies and one small short-term study of sitagliptin in combination with metformin, were presented today at the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Diabetes Association in San Diego.