[1][6][7] EPOCH, was to complete data collection for the primary outcome measure by June 2017.

[7] However, in February 2017 Merck halted its late-stage trial of verubecestat for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease after it was reported as having "virtually no chance of finding a positive clinical effect" according to an independent panel of experts.

[8] The results of Merck's trial of verubecestat on patients with prodromal (early stage) Alzheimer's were expected in February 2019.

However, the trial was terminated in February 2018, after a data monitoring committee concluded it was unlikely that the drug would show a positive benefit/risk ratio.

[9][10] The final conclusion was that "verubecestat did not reduce cognitive or functional decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease and was associated with treatment-related adverse events".