Merck Sharpe and Dohme reports success from Isentress HIV study

Merck Sharpe and Dohme has published clinical trial data from a recent phase III study of its HIV drug Isentress, which it believes demonstrates the treatment’s benefits.

Results from the 96-week study showed that patients trialled using Isentress instead of the alternative treatment efavirenz suffered less impact on their lipids and fasting blood sugar.

Dr Edwin de Jesus, who oversaw the study, stated that these findings were important given the role played by lipid and glucose levels and body composition in the management of HIV.

The Merck Sharpe and Dohme drug’s advantages were further underlined by a separate phase II study which showed that it is equally as effective as efavirenz in maintaining viral load suppression to undetectable levels.

Earlier this week, the pharmaceutical company published data from a clinical trial of its human papillomavirus treatment Gardasil, with the firm welcoming the findings as evidence of Gardasil’s effectiveness in both male and female patients.