Merck & Co. has decided to discontinue the development of odanacatib, its investigational cathepsin-K inhibitor for osteoporosis, and will not seek regulatory approval for its use. The company has decided to discontinue development after analysis of adverse cardiac events confirmed an increased risk of stroke.

The company said in a statement that it learned that odanacatib treatment reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures, but the increased risk of stroke in its Phase III trial does not support further development.

Source: Merck & Co.