Merck halts enrollment in two late-stage trials for HIV drug islatravir

Merck (NYSE:MRK) has paused enrollment in two phase 3 trials of its experimental HIV medication islatravir for pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Those already enrolled in the IMPOWER 22 and IMPOWER 24 trials will continue to receive the drug.
Last month, Merck halted development of another HIV drug, MK-8507, after decreases in white blood cells were seen when combined with islatravir.
Just after that announcement, Merck and Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) said that they would pause enrollment in a phase 2 trial of islatravir and lenacapavir.