KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested the submission of new data and analyses from the MODIFY I and MODIFY II clinical trials previously submitted to the pending Biologics Licensing Application (BLA) for bezlotoxumab, an investigational agent for prevention of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection recurrence. The additional data and analyses constitute a major amendment to the BLA, resulting in an extension of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date by three months. The new goal date will be Oct. 23, 2016.

The FDA granted Priority Review designation to the bezlotoxumab BLA, with an original PDUFA goal date of July 23, 2016. On June 9, the Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA voted 10-to-5, with one abstention, in support of bezlotoxumab as showing substantial evidence of efficacy and safety in preventing the recurrence of C. difficile infection.

Merck looks forward to continuing to work with the FDA on the review of the bezlotoxumab BLA.

About Merck

For 125 years, Merck has been a global health care leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

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