Merck Sharp and Dohme reports positive data from new trial of letermovir

Merck Sharp and Dohme has announced positive clinical trial data showing the benefits of letermovir in the prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.

The phase III clinical study of letermovir, an investigational antiviral medicine, met its primary endpoint by showing its effectiveness in preventing clinically-significant CMV infections in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).

Letermovir was administered once daily, either in oral tablet or intravenous formulations, with treatment starting as early as the day of HSCT transplant and no later than 28 days post-transplant, before being continued for around 100 days after the procedure.

Letermovir has been granted orphan designation by the European Medicines Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the prevention of CMV infection and disease in at-risk populations.

Dr Roy Baynes, senior vice-president of clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, said: "We thank the patients and families who participated in this study and we look forward to presenting results at a future scientific meeting."

The company purchased worldwide rights to develop and commercialise letermovir from AiCuris in 2012.

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