The companies attributed delays to difficulties in imaging data, and emphasized that Vytorin lowers LDL cholesterol more than Zocor.

FORBES: Waiting For ENHANCE

Zetia lowers LDL 15% by preventing cholesterol from being absorbed from food in the intestine.

FORBES: Magazine Article

James Stein, a cardiologist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said before the release of the SEAS study that he believes any drug that lowers the bad cholesterol, or LDL, by 20% as Zetia does is likely to help patients, but that the benefit for Zetia is still unproven.

FORBES: Another Blow For Merck And Schering

Zetia (generically known as ezetimibe) lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol involved in causing heart attacks and strokes, but less so than existing drugs like Lipitor (generically known as atorvastatin), Crestor, from AstraZeneca, or simvastatin.

FORBES: Merck's Cholesterol Pill Win Is Already Drawing Fire