REJECTED: FDA snub of sugammadex another setback for Merck
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
The fact Merck's shares dipped only slightly – less than 1% – on 23 September was evidence investors likely had prepared themselves in advance for the company's almost predictable revelation the US FDA had, for the second time, rejected the pharma's new drug application (NDA) for sugammadex sodium injection to reverse and speed the recovery from the neuromuscular blockade effects of the muscle relaxants rocuronium and vecuronium, which are used during some types of surgery to make it easier for the surgeon to do the procedure.