• News front page
• This week's news
• Latest feature
• Previous features
• News suggestions

Related Jobs

Merck to begin HIV clinical trial

08 Oct 2008

Clinical Research

Merck has announced that researchers are to conduct a clinical trial of its HIV treatment raltegravir.

The medicine will be assessed as a once-daily dose in a group of previously untreated HIV patients.

A twice-daily dose will be administered to a second group of previously untreated patients as a comparison - and both doses will be given in combination with Truvada.

The aim of the clinical study, known as QDMRK, is to evaluate the respective antiretroviral activity and efficacy of each dose.

Meanwhile, the drugs giant has revealed it has discontinued the development of taranabant as a treatment for obesity.

The firm said it had taken the decision after clinical trial data showed both efficacy and adverse events were increased in higher doses.

John Amatruda, senior vice-president and research head of diabetes and obesity at Merck Research Laboratories, said the firm looks forward to developing new medicines to treat the condition.