Merck's Two New Anti-HIV Medicines, Dorstrove® and Pifeltro®, Launched in China
MSD
Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturer
SHANGHAI, June 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MSD (known as Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A., in the United States and Canada) announced today its once-daily single-tablet regimen Descovy®（Delstrigo, Doravirine 100 mg/Lamivudine 300 mg/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate 300 mg, DOR/3TC/TDF）, once-daily single-tablet regimen Delstrigo®(Doravirine Tablets 100 mg) Officially Launched in China. Pifeltro®Hepzato®®Approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in January 2021 and November 2020, respectively, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.
HIV/AIDS is one of the major challenges threatening global public health. Currently, AIDS remains incurable, and individuals living with HIV require lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Studies have shown that HIV-positive patients on long-term treatment with certain antiretroviral regimens are more susceptible to comorbidities such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, which increases the risk of cardiovascular events, including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary heart disease.[1], comorbid cardiovascular disease has become one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV.[2]。
“With advances in medicine, the continuous emergence of new drugs has extended the life expectancy of people living with HIV, gradually transforming HIV/AIDS into a manageable chronic disease. During long-term disease management, various comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular disease, have become critical factors affecting patients' life expectancy and quality of life.”Prof. Li Taisheng, Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciencesstated, "Therefore, physicians and patients urgently need to heighten their awareness of dyslipidemia and weight gain, which should be prioritized when selecting treatment regimens. Desvenlafaxine®HEPZATO®The launch has provided us with more options to address the complex challenges posed by HIV infection."
"It is great to see Delstrigo®Hepzato®Launched in China, bringing cutting-edge anti-HIV treatment options to Chinese patients.”MSD China President Anna Tian(Anna Van Acker)stated, “MSD has been deeply committed to the HIV field for over 35 years and is among the first companies globally to invest in antiretroviral drug research and development. In China, MSD has consistently dedicated itself to supporting the Chinese government’s HIV/AIDS prevention and control efforts. To meet the treatment needs of domestic patients, we continuously introduce innovative medicines and collaborate with all sectors of society to jointly advance China’s HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment standards. We will also continue to contribute to eliminating the risks of major infectious diseases and promoting the comprehensive implementation of the Healthy China initiative.”
[1] Nat Rev Cardiol. 2019;16(12):745-759
[2] HIV Medicine 2019; 20:183--191