MSD highlights investigational HIV drug data

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has released new data for its investigational integrase inhibitor for the treatment of HIV, MK-0518.

The results show that greater virus suppression was observed after 24 weeks of treatment using the drug in conjunction with optimised background therapy (OBT), compared to the placebo.

MSD presented the study results at the annual International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, demonstrating phase II interim results for three dosage levels to be taken twice daily.

Beatriz Grinsztejn, director of the HIV/Aids Clinical Unite at the Evandro Chagas Clinical Research Institute, said the results were “very encouraging”, adding: “MK-0518 when used in combination with OBT in patients with advanced HIV infection significantly reduced HIV viral load when compared to placebo plus OBT.”

In August, MSD released new data showing that the drug ‘s effectiveness is roughly comparable to Sustiva, the Bristol-Myers Squbb drug. Patients showed a “rapid and significant” reduction in viral loads after taking the drug.