Merck to delay filing on new cholesterol drug

Merck says that it is delaying plans to file for approval of a new combinational therapy that lowers levels of bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol. Merck's MK-524B is intended to combine Zocor with niacin and another ingredient that negates a common adverse effect and analysts have pegged the therapy as an important element in its effort to introduce big new blockbuster therapies. But Merck says now it won't file for worldwide approval next year and doesn't have a new filing date to announce. That has analysts buzzing over probably problems in its efforts to combine the therapies effectively.

- check out the report on Merck from The Washington Post

ALSO: Merck is expanding its collaboration with FoxHollow Technologies, announcing its plan to buy a $95 million stake in the company while funding new research. Report

PLUS: Merck faces a tax bill of up to $2.32 billion after the IRS rejected its claims of royalty-related expenses paid to a Bermuda unit for its own patents. Report