Business Research Methods

Abbott Laboratories is faced with the dilemma of an expiring drug patent and is seeking an additional indication from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its cholesterol drug Niaspan. In order to receive an indication from the FDA, a drug company must present two successful studies with the intended outcome. Niaspan has the FDA indication to raise HDL-C, reduce secondary non-fatal myocardial infarction, and regression of atherosclerosis in combination with a bile acid resin. In a recent study (cite) patients taking Niaspan demonstrated regression of atherosclerosis in combination with statin, a popular cholesterol treatment agent. Abbott is now looking to replicate the study in order to receive an additional FDA indication and extended patent life for the...