Merck will acquire NovaCardia, Inc., a privately held clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on cardiovascular diseases, for $350 million. NovaCardia's lead product candidate KW-3902, an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, is currently in Phase III trials in patients with acute congestive heart failure (CHF). The drug works by blocking adenosine-mediated constriction of blood flow to the kidneys and inhibiting reabsorption of salt and water by the kidney, increasing urine volume and maintaining renal function in patients with CHF.

"This acquisition continues to deliver on our strategy of targeted acquisitions in areas of unmet medical need in the therapeutic areas of strategic importance for Merck such as cardiovascular diseases," said Richard Kender, vice president of business development and corporate licensing at Merck.

"We are excited to see our lead product become part of the superb scientific environment of Merck," said Randall E. Woods, president and chief executive officer at NovaCardia. "NovaCardia demonstrated the potential of KW-3902 in clinical trials, and we believe that Merck can expedite the development of this novel agent."

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