Merck has had an intensive, broad-based HIV clinical research program since 1985 that has sought to address both treatment and prevention.

In addition to our own research efforts, we have entered into partnerships with other researchers and scientific organizations to help accelerate the search for new treatments and possible cures.

Timeline of Merck's Research Efforts

In addition to our own research efforts, we have entered into partnerships with other researchers and scientific organizations to help accelerate the search for new treatments and possible cures.

In 1989, Merck scientists established the role of protease in the HIV lifecycle, were the first to publish the crystal structure of HIV protease shortly thereafter, and were among the first to discover and develop medicines for the treatment of HIV.

In 1996, Merck introduced CRIXIVAN^® (indinavir), a protease inhibitor, which was followed by the introduction in 1999 of STOCRIN^® (efavirenz), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Merck's work in the early phase of HIV research played an important role in collaboration with others in defining the principles for combination antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to suppress the virus to undetectable levels, which continues to be the gold standard for treatment today.

In 2006, a partnership between Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead to develop a once-daily single-tablet regimen to simplify HIV treatment resulted in approval in the U.S. of ATRIPLA^® (tenofovir, emtricitabine, efavirenz). ATRIPLA is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Gilead in the United States, Canada and Europe. Merck is working to register and distribute ATRIPLA in many developing countries around the world.

In 2007, Merck's efforts to address the growing problem of multidrug resistance led to the approval in U.S. of ISENTRESS^® (raltegravir), the first integrase inhibitor and the first ARV treatment to target the integrase enzyme, one of the components the HIV virus needs for replication. ISENTRESS offers patients an important therapy that targets the HIV virus in a different way. Merck continues to prioritize comprehensive research and development efforts targeting HIV, recognizing the ongoing need for new and improved methods to address the epidemic. Merck's current R&D efforts targeting HIV include ongoing basic research on HIV neutralizing antibodies, programs to develop novel HIV prevention technologies, new HIV antiretroviral medicines and new drugs targeting HIV latency.

Preventing HIV through Microbicides

Reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to finding new ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, in February 2008, Merck granted the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) a non-royalty-bearing, nonexclusive license to develop, manufacture and distribute a novel ARV compound (L'644) for use as a vaginal microbicide in developing countries to help protect women from HIV. The compound, the fourth we have licensed to IPM, is a member of a class of ARV molecules known as fusion inhibitors, which inhibit HIV infection by preventing the virus from fusing with the surface of target cells, an early step in the HIV infection process, potentially representing a novel way to block infection. Merck is also collaborating with IPM to advance early stage product development research efforts. This recent agreement follows a similar IPM-Merck agreement announced in 2005.

"Merck deserves recognition for its exemplary commitment to HIV prevention research. This arrangement helps IPM pursue development of compounds that target HIV at many points in the virus life cycle. We're working toward the day when millions of women around the world will have access to safe and effective microbicides — and partnerships like this will help us get there."

Dr. Zeda Rosenberg
CEO of IPM

Stakeholder Engagement to Advance Merck's R&D Efforts

Merck embraces a mission to communicate, interact and collaborate openly with scientific leaders in the field to advance science. In the United States, for more than a decade, Merck has had an established physician advisory board that includes international and national scientific leaders. This advisory board meets with Merck on a regular basis to discuss and advise Merck on HIV research and development strategy, emerging scientific issues and clinical program design. At the international level, Merck has also established a similar advisory board with international scientific and clinical leaders worldwide to gain input on emerging challenges in HIV care in developing countries.