Merck presents MK 7243 Phase III Grass Allergy study

Data for MK 7243 (sublingual allergy immunotherapy tablet), from Merck, in a Phase III study involving 1,501 adult and pediatric patients with a Grass Allergy demonstrates patients showed a 23 percent improvement in Total Combined Score (TCS) averaged over the entire grass pollen season (the primary endpoint) - the sum of the rhinoconjunctivitis daily symptom score (DSS) and the daily medication score (DMS) - compared to placebo. Additionally, patients demonstrated a 20 percent improvement in DSS over the entire grass pollen season, and a 35 percent improvement in DMS over the entire grass pollen season. During the peak grass pollen season, patients treated with MK 7243 demonstrated a 29 percent improvement in TCS.

Main adverse events included throat irritation 23 percent vs. 4 percent, oral pruritus 19 percent vs. 3 percent and oral paraesthesia 12 percent vs. 3 percent. Researchers will present findings at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting. Merck expects the FDA�s review of its Timothy Grass and Ragweed immunotherapy to be completed in the first half of 2014.