Merck Sharpe and Dohme to take part in HIV research efforts

Merck Sharpe and Dohme is to participate in new collaborative research projects aimed at developing new approaches for combating the spread of HIV.

Scientists from the pharmaceutical company will work with the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) on the projects, which will be funded by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The UCSF collaboration will see the company working to define the reservoirs associated with the disease, while the UNC project will focus on HIV latency and new ways to rid the body of infection.

Dr Daria Hazuda, vice-president of Merck Research Laboratories, stated that collaborative research will play an essential role in making continued breakthroughs in combating this condition.

"Merck is honoured and excited to participate in these important new undertakings," she said.

Last month, the company announced it will be working alongside Hanwha Chemical Corporation to develop a biosimilar version of the Amgen/Pfizer compound Enbrel.