During a conference call on drugmaker Merck & Co.'s fourth-quarter results, executives discussed some of their experimental drugs in development, including suvorexant, a new type of insomnia medicine designed to limit the morning grogginess common with sleep aids.
QUESTION: What prospects do you see for suvorexant if it's approved?
ANSWER: About 30 percent of the population has sleep issues. We have heard multiple times that patients are unsatisfied with (existing) options. We believe that a new product like suvorexant coming into the market could really have a big impact.
