A FDA advisory panel
recommended the approval of Merck's new HIV drug Isentress yesterday. If approved, it would be the second new novel HIV/AIDS drug since August, the
first coming with the approval of Pfizer's Selzentry (or maraviroc). Cohn & Wolfe
support Merck on Isentress (or raltegravir), which analysts predict could generate more than $1 billion in sales annually. Under the accelerated review process, a final FDA decision is set for October.