PFIZER – MERCK alliance for Ertugliflozin – Not a better partner than Merck
Merck-Pfizer deal for SGLT2 inhibitor - Ertugliflozin is positive and we see Merck as an ideal partner. The fixed dose combination of Ertugliflozin and Januvia should allow Ertugliflozin a head start in an otherwise competitive market. The odds of approval are difficult to predict as we have not seen clinical data as yet, but as such SGLT2 remains a risky class and we will have to wait and watch to see if Ertugliflozin is able to emerge clean of safety issues and pave through the high regulatory hurdles for anti-diabetes drug. We currently do not forecast sales from this franchise.
