MK-2048
Encyclopedia
MK-2048 is a second generation integrase inhibitor
, intended to be used against HIV infection. It is superior to the first available integrase inhibitor, raltegravir, in that it inhibits the HIV enzyme integrase 4 times longer. It is being investigated for use as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis
(PrEP). It is being developed by Merck.
Discovery and development of integrase inhibitors
The first human immunodeficiency virus case was reported in the 1980s. Many drugs have been discovered to treat the disease but mutations in the virus and resistance to the drugs make development difficult. Integrase is a viral enzyme that integrates retroviral DNA into the host cell genome....
, intended to be used against HIV infection. It is superior to the first available integrase inhibitor, raltegravir, in that it inhibits the HIV enzyme integrase 4 times longer. It is being investigated for use as part of pre-exposure prophylaxis
Pre-exposure prophylaxis
Pre-exposure prophylaxis is any medical or public health procedure used before exposure to the disease causing agent, its purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure a disease. An example would be if a doctor gave a medication used to treat a disease to a healthy person who is not thought to...
(PrEP). It is being developed by Merck.