Merck and Schering-Plough said Monday that new analysis of a previously released study of its jointly marketed Vytorin (ezetimibe/simvastatin) showed it was better at lowering bad cholesterol levels than Pfizer’s top-selling Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium). The study—known as Vytorin Versus Atorvastatin, or Vyva—was presented at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Cardiology. The new analysis found that a “significantly greater” number of Vytorin users were able to lower their levels of LDL, or “bad cholesterol,” compared with those using Lipitor. Merck and Schering-Plough also said the new analysis showed Vytorin lowered levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, and apolipoprotein B(1), or Apo B, in a greater percentage of patients than Lipitor. Both CRP and Apo B are believed to be risk markers for cardiovascular disease.