WHITEHOUSE, N.J. (March 1, 2010)—Drug maker Merck & Co. says it now has about 40 experimental drugs in mid-or late-stage development as a result of its recent deal to buy Schering-Plough Corp.

The combined company also has four drugs awaiting approval by regulators including Schering-Plough medicines for asthma, schizophrenia and contraception, and a Merck drug for a dangerous irregular heartbeat.

The drugs in late-stage development include four treatments for heart disease, an injection for dangerous staph infections and a pill instead of the shots now used to cut allergy symptoms gradually in those with hay fever.

Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J., says its integration of the two company's pipelines saw overlap in research programs.