Merck Sharp and Dohme hails 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS research

Merck Sharp and Dohme has celebrated the 30th anniversary of its first research and development programme in the field of HIV and AIDS.

The company has marked the occasion with the launch of a new campaign, Positively Committed, which highlights the firm's contributions, including the development of innovative therapies to address the unmet medical needs of people infected with HIV-1.

It began its research in this field in the mid-1980s, at the height of the initial public health epidemic. Merck researchers were the first to describe the chemical structure of the protease enzyme, thus laying the foundations for future discoveries.

Over the years, the company has gone on to develop a wide variety of therapies, including Crixivan, efavirenz and Isentress.

Merck's research efforts today include programmes to develop novel HIV treatment and prevention technologies, as well as collaborations on approaches to address HIV latency and eradication.

Daria Hazuda, vice-president and therapeutic area head for infectious disease and vaccines at Merck Sharp and Dohme, said: "We will continue to collaborate with scientists, clinicians, patient advocates and the global health community as we work together towards a common goal of eradicating this disease."