WuXi AppTec Congratulates MSD on Receiving FDA Approval of ZEPATIER(TM)

SHANGHAI, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi AppTec (WuXi), a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the global pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, congratulates MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States and Canada, for receiving approval from the FDA for ZEPATIER™ (elbasvir/grazoprevir) for the treatment of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C virus, genotypes 1 or 4.

ZEPATIER™ is a fixed-dose combination product containing elbasvir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitor, and grazoprevir, an HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitor, and is indicated with or without ribavirin for treatment of chronic HCV genotypes 1 or 4 infection in adults. Elbasvir blocks the viral protein NS5A, which the virus needs to reproduce and at other stages of infection.  Grazoprevir blocks the viral enzyme NS3/4A protease, which enables the hepatitis C virus to survive and to replicate in host cells. WuXi assisted in the development of elbasvir using its open-access integrated platform.

"We congratulate MSD on this significant milestone," said Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec. "MSD is a long-term partner of WuXi, and we are pleased to have helped bring this innovative drug to hepatitis C patients."

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec is a leading open-access R&D capability and technology platform company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, with operations in China and the United States. As a research-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies with a broad and integrated portfolio of laboratory and manufacturing services throughout the drug and medical device R&D process. WuXi is also building a platform to provide clinical diagnostic services directly to physicians and their patients globally. WuXi's services are designed to help its global partners in shortening the cycle and lowering the cost of drug and medical device R&D.

For more information, please contact:                                           

Aaron Shi
Director of Corporate Communications
+86-21-5046-4362
[email protected]

SOURCE WuXi AppTec