The Cleveland Clinic researchers who drew attention to the heart risks of Vioxx in 2001 are shining the spotlight on another drug: Pargluva, an experimental diabetes pill developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck .

FORBES: Bristol, Merck Drug May Double Heart Risk

Other near-term issues Merck investors may want to focus on: being sure that Gardasil, an experimental cervical vaccine, outperforms a rival entrant from GlaxoSmithKline, and that Januvia, an experimental diabetes pill, beats competition from Novartis ' Galvus.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Buying Tularik also gives Amgen experimental medicines for diabetes and obesity, exactly the kind of broad markets that pharmaceutical giants traditionally target.

FORBES: Amgen (And Biotech) Are Growing Up

Lechleiter points to Arxxant, an experimental treatment for some complications of diabetes, as one potential winner.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Two just-released studies of diabetes drugs could raise new hurdles for experimental medicines that aim to remedy common diseases.

FORBES: Not So Sweet

Novartis could be facing a further delay on the U.S. approval of its diabetes drug Galvus, one of its most important experimental medicines, an analyst says, potentially giving an even bigger head start to rival Merck .

FORBES: Novartis Shares Fall On Report Of Drug Delay

But victories, he argues, will allow investors to once again focus on promising experimental medicines, like Gardasil, a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, and a new diabetes pill.

FORBES: Merck Wins Battle, Faces War