EU drug watchdog deals another blow to Merck

European regulators dealt Merck KGaA another blow by sticking with their recommendation against its biggest pipeline drug, multiple sclerosis (MS) pill cladribine on Friday. The European Union's drugs watchdog, whose view is invariably adopted by the European Commission for approval decisions, found that the benefits of cladribine tablets did not outweigh its risks.

"Merck remains fully committed to the potential of cladribine tablets to meet an unmet medical need as an oral, short-course, disease-modifying drug for multiple sclerosis," the company said in a statement. The regulator had already recommended against cladribine in September, and Merck had appealed the decision.