The FDA approved a new blood thinner developed by Merck & Co. (MRK) that is designed to help patients who’ve had a heart attack or suffer from blood clot in the arteries of the legs.
The new drug, called vorapaxar, will be sold under the company’s Zontivity brand.
FDA Director Ellis Unger noted that, “In patients who have had a heart attack or who have peripheral arterial disease, this drug will lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.”
Merck shares were up 1.1% to $55.41 in afternoon trading on Friday. The stock is near the top-end of the 52-week range set between $44.62 and $59.84.
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David Warren is a serious tech aficionado. Five years ago he finished his studies at the California Institute of Technology, Caltech, where he earned a degree in Computer Science. Two years ago he got hired as a data protection analyst in an American multinational. When he’s bored with security protocols he enjoys writing reviews and previews of his favorite gadgets and games.
