Merck obesity drug shows weight loss in study (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Merck & Co said on Monday thatpatients on its experimental obesity drug lost more than twiceas much weight as those on a placebo in a late-stage clinicalstudy.

Patients on taranabant lost an average of 14.5 pounds (6.6kilograms) compared with 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) for those on aplacebo after 52 weeks -- a difference deemed statisticallysignificant, Merck said in a statement.

The findings were presented at the American College ofCardiology conference in Chicago.

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf, editing by Gerald E.McCormick)