Update on ACHIEVE: A Study of Merck's Investigational Extended-Release Niacin/Laropiprant...

Update on ACHIEVE: A Study of Merck's Investigational Extended-Release Niacin/Laropiprant (CORDAPTIVE(TM))

CHICAGO--(Business Wire)--
Merck & Co., Inc. today announced that, based on the
recommendation of the Steering Committee for ACHIEVE (An Assessment of
Coronary Health Using an Intima-Media Thickness Endpoint for Vascular
Effects), further patient enrollment in the study has been placed on
hold. The action will allow the Steering Committee to evaluate the
current study design in light of scientific data from recent
intima-media thickness (IMT) studies.

Ongoing clinical studies with Merck's investigational
extended-release niacin/laropiprant (CORDAPTIVE(TM)), including the
20,000 patient outcomes study known as HPS2-THRIVE, continue
unchanged.

"Since ACHIEVE was originally designed, the understanding of
carotid IMT studies has evolved leading the committee to decide to
take this action," said John Kastelein, M.D. Ph.D., Chair, ACHIEVE
Steering Committee, Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. The Committee expects to meet in the near future to
review additional analyses and options, and advise on a path forward
for ACHIEVE.

"In the meantime, patients currently enrolled in ACHIEVE will
continue to be followed according to the protocol and all study data
will remain blinded," said Christie Ballantyne, M.D., Chief, Section
of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
and the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center.

Merck has begun to notify study investigators and regulatory
agencies of this decision.

About ACHIEVE

ACHIEVE is a study designed to evaluate the effects of CORDAPTIVE
on carotid IMT in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. The
study was initiated in October 2006 and approximately one-third of the
planned 900 patients are currently enrolled. ACHIEVE is underway in 17
countries around the world. For more information, go to
www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The ACHIEVE Steering Committee met on Saturday, March 29, 2008.
The Steering Committee members are: Kastelein; Ballantyne; David
Marais, M.D., Groote Schuur Hospital & University of Cape Town, South
Africa; Claude Gagne, M.D., Clinic of Lipid Disease of Quebec Inc.;
Jonathan Isaacsohn, MedPace, Inc.; and Yale Mitchel, Ph.D., Merck
Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical
company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891,
Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and
medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes
extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching
programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to
the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health
information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit
www.merck.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations
and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ
materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking
statements may include statements regarding product development,
product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially
from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements
in this press release should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those
mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of
Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, and in any risk
factors or cautionary statements contained in the Company's periodic
reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, which the Company
incorporates by reference.

CORDAPTIVE is a proposed trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Whitehouse Station, NJ, U.S.

Merck & Co., Inc.
Media:
Ron Rogers, 908-391-4302
or
Investors:
Graeme Bell, 908-423-5185

Copyright Business Wire 2008