Merck BPH therapy

Executive Summary

Merck discontinues development of Synaptic's alpha adrenergic drug candidate for the oral treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A Phase IIa trial found the drug, developed under a licensing deal covering alpha-1a antagonists, increased urine flow and showed less potential for cardiovascular side effects. Merck cited limited oral bioavailability and the potential for drug interactions in explaining its decision, Synaptic said. "The Synaptic technology has worked perfectly," Synaptic CEO Kathleen Mullen told a Bear Stearns conference in New York Sept. 15. "I'm not saying that Synaptic technology is great but big pharma fell down on the job"