Merck Provides Regulatory Update on Investigational Medicine Sugammadex Injection

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March 13, 2015 4:02 pm ET

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada,
said it was informed today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) has cancelled the meeting of the Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug
Products Advisory Committee scheduled for March 18, 2015. The committee
had planned to discuss the resubmission of the New Drug Application
(NDA) for sugammadex injection, Merck’s investigational medicine for the
reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium or vecuronium.

The FDA has advised Merck that it plans to conduct additional site
inspections related to a hypersensitivity study (Protocol 101). The
Agency has indicated it plans to conduct these additional inspections
prior to an Advisory Committee meeting and completion of their review.
Due to the timing of the additional inspections, Merck expects to
receive a Complete Response Letter at the time of the Prescription Drug
User Fee Act action date for the NDA for sugammadex on April 22, 2015.
Merck will continue to work with the FDA as it completes its review.

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global health care leader working to help the world
be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and
animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than
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This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
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Merck
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Pamela Eisele, 267-305-3558
or
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