Inside STAT: Vioxx, once deemed deadly, may be relaunched to treat rare disease

(DANIEL HULSHIZER/AP)

Vioxx was once widely used as an arthritis and chronic pain management drug, but those days came to a crashing halt when studies revealed that the drug doubled patients’ risk of heart attack and stroke. And despite a recall in 2004, a congressional investigation, and a nearly $5 billion settlement from drug maker Merck, a Massachusetts-based company now wants to revive the drug. Tremeau Pharmaceuticals is now resurrecting a generic version of Vioxx for a subgroup of patients with hemophilia, specifically those patients who experience a side effect of severe joint pain. The company is planning a pivotal trial next year, and if things go well, will apply for FDA approval to bring the drug back to market. STAT’s Damian Garde has more here.