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February 6, 2012 8:45 am ET

Company Confirms Plans to File NDA for Suvorexant in 2012

Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada,
today provided an update on the development program for suvorexant, the
company’s investigational orexin receptor antagonist, which, if
approved, will be a new mechanism for the treatment of insomnia. The two
pivotal Phase III efficacy trials for suvorexant have been completed
and, based on the positive results of these studies, Merck plans to file
a New Drug Application (NDA) for suvorexant with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 2012.

Both Phase III studies were multicenter, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled clinical trials that evaluated suvorexant compared to
placebo in adult patients ages 18 years and older. The primary endpoint
was change from baseline in subjective total sleep time and time to
sleep onset, wake time after persistent sleep onset, and latency to
onset of persistent sleep at one and three months. Merck plans to submit
these data for presentation at major medical meetings later this year.

Suvorexant is one of the five major U.S. filings Merck anticipates for
2012 and 2013.

“Suvorexant selectively targets an important pathway involved in helping
to promote sleep and, if approved, will be a new, first-in-class
treatment for patients with insomnia,” said Peter S. Kim, president,
Merck Research Laboratories. “We are enthusiastic about the potential of
this investigational medicine, and look forward to sharing the results
from these studies with the medical community.”

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare 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
consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and
operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health
solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to
healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For
more information, visit www.merck.com
and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include,
but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger
between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and
operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical
facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the
possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and
Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the
expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation
and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be
integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more
difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck’s
ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on
the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for
innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health
policies in the United States and internationally and the exposure to
litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Merck’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at
the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Merck
Media Contacts:
Pam Eisele, 908-423-5042
Lesley Brown, 267-305-3545
or
Investor Contact:
Carol Ferguson, 908-423-4465