Neuromed, Merck Discontinue Development of Pain Drug Candidate

Neuromed Pharmaceuticals and Merck announced that they have will discontinue development of MK-6721, a Phase II compound for the treatment of chronic pain.

Neuromed and Merck said they will continue to evaluate alternate, earlier stage, therapeutic candidates.

The companies said that MK-6721 (NMED-160) does not demonstrate the pharmaceutical characteristics considered necessary to develop the compound further.  

No serious adverse events with MK-6721 were observed in clinical trials in which a maximum 1,600-mg dose was administered.

Christopher Gallen, president and CEO of Neuromed, said the collaboration with Merck will continue in the discovery of N-type calcium channel blockers.