Vytorin study to continue after review; Merck shares jump

By Ransdell Pierson and Caroline Humer (Reuters) – An independent monitoring board said a large trial of Merck & Co's Vytorin cholesterol drug can continue, suggesting no major safety issues have yet been seen with the pill. The news eased investor concerns that a safety issue could arise and further hurt sales of already struggling Vytorin. Merck shares were up 3.7 percent in Tuesday morning trading. "We believe it is increasingly difficult to suggest any safety issues with (Vytorin)," JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott said, in view of the panel's green light to continue with the study. …