PPL-100, a promising protease inhibitor
Indication
HIV/AIDS
Development status
Phase I repeat dosing study completed
Patents
U.S. granted and World pending
Partner
Merck & Co.
HIV/AIDS - Protease Inhibitor Program
In October 2006, Ambrilia concluded a $US232M partnership agreement with Merck & Co. for its novel HIV protease inhibitor (PPL-100) and its related compounds. PPL-100, now renamed MK-8122, is currently being developed by Merck. MK-8122 has the potential of being a best-in-class HIV protease inhibitor. To this date, all approved protease inhibitors require ritonavir (another protease inhibitor) to boost their availability in the system but which at the same time increases the adverse events. Also, most of them have low genetic barriers, making it easier for the virus to offer resistance, and medium to high levels of cross-resistance. MK-8122 was shown to possess key attributes such as a high genetic barrier, a low cross-resistance profile and more importantly, does not require ritonavir boosting. Ambrilia’s worldwide agreement with Merck was a major validation of its know-how in antiviral drug R&D.
Clinical development
Merck & Co. is pursuing the continued development of PPL-100 (under the name MK-8122) in HIV/AIDS patients.
Exclusive worldwide licence: Merck & Co.
Merck & Co. has the exclusive worlwide rights to Ambrilia's PPL-100 and HIV/AIDS protease inhibitor Program.
For more information please contact:
Daniel Böck, Ph.D.
Vice-President, Business Development and Licensing
Tel.: 514 751-2003 ext. 236
E-mail: dbock@ambrilia.com