"Failed" and "Re-purposed" - should they be used in same sentence?

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/pharma-giants-offer-drug-candidates-20m-nih-collaboration/2012-05-03?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal
I guess it might work out. Then again, maybe it won't. I 'guess' it all depends on why a drug failed. 
If it simply wasn't making enough money----- well then maybe.
If people were getting worse or dying from it-----???
I wonder if they'll dust off Vioxx and re-purpose it?