Newly Released Phase III Studies For JANUVIA(TM), Merck & Co., Inc.'s Investigational Once-Daily Medicine For Type 2 Diabetes, Showed Significantly Reduced Blood Sugar Levels When Used As Monotherapy Or As Add-On Treatment

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2006--Newly released Phase III studies presented here today at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 66th Annual Scientific Sessions demonstrated that JANUVIA(TM) (sitagliptin phosphate), Merck and Co., Inc.'s investigational oral, once-daily medicine for type 2 diabetes, significantly reduced blood sugar (glucose) levels when used as monotherapy or as an add-on treatment to two commonly used therapies (metformin or pioglitazone). Additionally, treatment with JANUVIA improved measures of beta cell function. Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that make and release insulin (a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy).