So, Merck Will Pair A Generic-Lipitor, With Zetia?

I am still scratching my head, here? Why? Why do that?

Forget, for just a moment, that Merck is going to spend $1.5 billion over the next four years, to build a business model (selling generic versions of biotech name-brands), where there is, as of this instant, no regulatory path (from FDA) -- as to how to approve such creatures. Why does it want a patent fight with Pfizer's Lipitor?

Perhaps Merck doesn't, actually. [Be sure of this, though: Pfizer will protect, litigate and attempt to extend its 800 pound gorilla of a patent on Lipitor -- beyond March of 2010 -- and Schering/Merck won't have launched until -- at best -- 2012.]

Perhaps, however, this is all simply a smoke-screen (think turn of the century opium-dens, here, in Southeast Asia!) -- to put a much-softer focus on the swan song for Vytorin. It may be "real", but only for the moment. Once Vytorin is cut-loose, this too will fade away.

On the bright side (I guess) -- if it is real, this will be a "Full-Employment Act" for New York, New Jersey and DC-area patent lawyers -- in the pharma space. . . . Wow.