From Investing.com: 2024-03-26 17:51:19

The U.S. FDA approved Merck’s new drug, Winrevair, for high blood pressure due to lung artery constriction. The therapy costs $14,000 per vial, with an estimated annual cost of $238,000 per patient. Merck expects to launch the drug by April from their $11.5 billion acquisition of Acceleron Pharma in 2021.

Winrevair is the first FDA-approved drug in its class, targeting activin to reduce a follicle-stimulating hormone linked to PAH. Another drug, Opsynvi by Johnson & Johnson, was also approved for PAH, a condition that leads to high blood pressure and heart failure. Analysts estimate Merck’s drug could generate $3-4 billion in sales.

In a 24-week trial of 323 PAH patients, Merck’s Winrevair showed significant improvement by increasing patients’ exercise capacity by 40.8 meters compared to a placebo. Patients with PAH endure symptoms like chest pain and dizziness due to constricted lung arteries. Merck aims to make a difference for the 40,000 affected patients in the U.S.



Read more at Investing.com: US FDA approves Merck’s blood pressure therapy By Reuters