Merck Sharpe and Dohme reports positive Isentress trial data

Merck Sharpe and Dohme has published phase III clinical trial data that reinforces the safety and efficacy of its HIV drug Isentress.

The product has been trialled among 563 previously untreated adult HIV-1 patients over the course of three years in order to gauge its effectiveness in combination with tenofovir/emtricitabine, when compared to a leading alternative.

Isentress was shown to maintain undetectable viral loads and increases in CD4 cell counts, performing similarly to the control treatment, while efficacy data recorded after 48 and 96 weeks was sustained through to week 156.

Dr Jurgen Rockstroh of the University of Bonn also noted that the combination therapy demonstrated a reduced impact on lipids and triglycerides at week 144.

Currently, Isentress is approved in more than 90 countries worldwide, with further regulatory submissions currently taking place.

Last month, Merck Sharpe and Dohme published positive phase III trial data from a study evaluating the efficacy of the human papillomavirus drug Gardasil among males.