Zetia (ezetimibe), a cholesterol-lowering agent, marketed by Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals joint venture, was named the "Cardiovascular Compound of the Year" at the third annual Pharmaceutical Achievement Awards held earlier this week in Boston.

Zetia is the first in a class of cholesterol-lowering therapies that works by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Clinical studies have demonstrated that adding Zetia to a statin provides significant additional LDL cholesterol-lowering efficacy through dual inhibition of cholesterol production in the liver and absorption in the intestine. Zetia, along with diet, is indicated for use either by itself or together with statins in patients with high cholesterol to reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol when the response to diet and exercise has been inadequate.

The Pharmaceutical Achievement Awards recognizes innovation and individual achievement in a number of categories including: Scientific Achievement, Worldwide Health and Community Involvement, Drug Product R&D; Pharmaceutical Businesss and Drug Product Research and Development.

"We are very happy to continue to receive recognition for the unique attributes of Zetia and how it provides doctors and patients with an important treatment option for managing high cholesterol," said Rick Veltri, group vice president, Worldwide Clinical Development, Schering-Plough Research Institute.

Zetia was discovered by scientists at Schering-Plough Research Institute and developed jointly with Merck Research Laboratories.