Merck drug to be tested in AIDS gel

Merck has granted permission for a non-profit group to use one of its experimental new drugs.

The International Partnership for Microbicides will utilise the drug, which is only known by its experimental name L’644, in their new gel and creams – which it hopes will protect women against the AIDS virus.

L’644 is a member of a class of drugs known as gp41 fusion inhibitors which prevent the AIDS virus from attaching to the immune system cells it targets.

Dr Zeda Rosenberg, the group’s chief executive officer, told Reuters that the new treatment is a "completely different" mechanism to anything that has been produced before or is currently under development.

If successful then the cream could be applied to prevent transmission of the man immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.

Speaking about Merck’s contribution to the research, Dr Daria Hazuda, vice president of scientific affairs for infectious disease and HIV, said: "Merck is pleased to contribute the results of our research and development to this worldwide effort to protect women from HIV infection."

Merck runs a scheme which donates and helps deliver its medicines to the people who need them most, in addition to publishing unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.