New Protease Inhibitor Shows Promise

The HIV drug manufacturer Merck has secured the rights to develop the newest protease inhibitor (PI), PPL -100. The drug, currently in Phase I trials with Ambrilia Pharmaceuticals has shown great promise as a once per day or twice per day therapy. What’s more in these early human trials, the drug seems to be affective without needing boosting from the PI boosting drug Norvir. Currently, most protease Inhibitors require Norvir to be their most effective. However, Norvir does bring with it a significant risk of GI side effects. A PI that would not need Norvir boosting would make therapy adherence easier and would also satisfy those groups calling for the limited use of Norvir boosted HIV regimens. PPL-100 will now move to longer more extensive Phase II studies in an effort to determine the optimal dose for the new drug.

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