P.M. BRIEFING : Merck, Du Pont to Work Together
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RAHWAY, N.J. — Merck & Co., the nation’s leading drug company, and E. I du Pont de Nemours Co. said today that they are joining forces to develop a new class of heart disease medicine under a research and marketing pact.
As part of the collaboration, Merck will turn over to Wilmington, Del.-based Du Pont the rights to sell two of its drugs in exchange for a percentage of the proceeds.
In an unusual arrangement, Merck said it is allowing Du Pont to market Sinemet, a major treatment for Parkinson’s disease, and Vaseretic, a hypertension drug, in order to focus on marketing other products.
Sinemet accounted for $100 million of Merck’s $5.94 billion in sales last year. Spokesman John Doorley said Vaseretic’s revenues were less, but he did not know the precise figure.
The other half of the collaboration gives Du Pont, a chemical, energy and specialty products giant, access to Merck’s highly proficient research staff and expertise at bringing products to market in developing a new class of heart disease medicine.
The class, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, was developed by Du Pont, a leader in the area. Angiotensin II, or AII, is a major hormone and factor in high blood pressure.
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