Merck's (NYSE:MRK) Anacetrapib Impresses Barclays (NYSE:BCS)

Liking Merck's (NYSE:MRK) CETP inhibitor Anacetrapib, Barclays (NYSE:BCS) sees it as a strong "opportunity in secondary prevention" in relationship to coronary attack survivors, and offering a good commercial opportunity for them.

Barclays said, "Most potent CETP inhibitor to date: MRK presented the results from the Phase III DEFINE study at the AHA yesterday. Anacetrapib, a novel CETP inhibitor, lowered LDL by 39.8% and boosted HDL by 138.1% as compared to statin therapy. Anacetrapib's impact on lipids was 2 to 4 times more potent than those of other CETP inhibitors. These results are especially impressive given that most patients were already on statin therapy and had very low baseline LDL of - 80 mg/dL.

"Lowering risk profile of Anacetrapib: Anacetrapib has avoided the Achilles' heel that aborted Pfizer's CETP inhibitor torcetrapib, whose off-target activity on aldosterone led to increased mortality. We believe the developmental risk for the agent has been lowered but it is far from eliminated.

"Attractive commercial opportunity in secondary prevention: Each year in the U.S., there are 1,255,000 new coronary attacks, and 2/3 of people survive and will likely benefit from further risk reduction beyond what statins can provide. We believe there is a substantial opportunity for the agent in secondary prevention."

Merck closed Thursday at $35.29, gaining $0.82, or 2.38 percent. Barclays has a price target of $43 on them and maintains their "Overweight" rating.