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MK-8527

Phase 3

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) | Small molecule | Infectious Disease |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedDouble-BlindACTIVE_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials4
Total Enrollment8,998

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

MK-8527 · 16 trials · 9 indications

Phase 3 2Phase 2 1Phase 1 13
NCT07071623A Study of MK-8527 to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) (MK-8527-010)Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
RECRUITING4,580 Analytics
NCT07044297A Clinical Study of MK-8527 to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) (MK-8527-011)Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
RECRUITING4,390 Analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Study of MK-8527 to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) (MK-8527-010)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Unlock trial analytics
PHASE3RECRUITING
A Clinical Study of MK-8527 to Prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) (MK-8527-011)
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)Unlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Number of Participants with Adjudicated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection
Up to ~2 years

The number of participants with adjudicated HIV-1 infection will be presented.

Number of Participants who Experience At Least One Adverse Event (AE)
Up to ~2 years

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants that experienced AEs will be presented.

Number of Participants who Discontinue Study Intervention Due to an AE
Up to ~2 years

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants that discontinued study intervention due to an AE will be presented.

Number of Participants With ≥1 Adverse Event (AE)
Up to ~28 weeks

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Number of Participants Discontinuing Study Therapy Due to Adverse Event (AE)
Up to ~20 weeks

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8527
At designated time points (up to approximately 2 weeks)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in plasma.

Part 1: Area Under the Concentration Time Curve From Time 0 to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8527 in Plasma With and Without Food
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 336 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to estimate AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in plasma.

Part 2: AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in Plasma With and Without Probenecid
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 336 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to estimate AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in plasma.

Part 3: AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in Plasma With and Without Itraconazole
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 336 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected at multiple time points to estimate AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in plasma.

Dose-Normalized Area Under the Plasma Concentration Time Curve From 0-24 Hours Postdose (AUC0-24) of R-Methadone
Up to 24 hours

The dose-normalized AUC0-24hr of R-methadone will be determined on Day 1.

Dose-Normalized AUC0-24 of S-Methadone
Up to 24 hours

The dose-normalized AUC0-24hr of S-methadone will be determined on Day 1.

Area under the concentration versus time curve from 0 to the time of the last quantifiable sample (AUC0-last) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the AUC0-last of MK-8527.

Area under the concentration versus time curve from 0 to infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-8527.

Maximum Observed Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the Cmax of MK-8527.

Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the Tmax of MK-8527.

Apparent Terminal Half-life (t1/2) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the t1/2 of MK-8527.

Apparent Clearance (CL/F) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the CL/F of MK-8527.

Apparent Volume of Distribution During Terminal Phase (Vz/F) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 168 hours post dose

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints to determine the Vz/F of MK-8527.

Change from Baseline in QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc) following MK-8527 administration
Baseline and up to approximately 24 hours

Change from Baseline in QTc following MK-8527 administration will be reported.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0 to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 168 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in plasma

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0 to the Time of the Last Quantifiable Sample (AUC0-last) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 168 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-last of MK-8527 in plasma

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0 to 24 hours (AUC0-24) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 24 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-24 of MK-8527 in plasma

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from 0 to 168 hours (AUC0-168) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 168 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-168 of MK-8527 in plasma

Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 168 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of MK-8527 in plasma

Time to Maximum Observed Plasma Concentration (Tmax) of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints (up to 168 hours postdose)

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of MK-8527 in plasma

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to 120 hours (AUC0-120hrs) After Administration of a Single Oral Dose of MK-8527 in Breast Milk
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 120 hours postdose

Breast milk samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-120hrs after administration of a single oral dose of MK-8527.

Maximum Breast Milk Concentration (Cmax) After Administration of a Single Oral Dose of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 21 days postdose

Breast milk samples will be collected to determine the Cmax after administration of a single oral dose of MK-8527.

Time to Maximum Breast Milk Concentration (Tmax) After Administration of a Single Oral Dose of MK-8527
Predose and at designated timepoints up to 21 days postdose

Breast milk samples will be collected to determine the Tmax after administration of a single oral dose of MK-8527.

Cumulative Percentage of Total Radioactivity Recovered (fe) from Urine and Feces
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Urine and fecal samples will be collected to determine the cumulative percentage of radioactivity recovered from both urine and feces.

Fe from Urine
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Urine samples will be collected to determine the percent of total radioactivity recovered from urine.

Fe from Feces
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Fecal samples will be collected to determine the percent of total radioactivity recovered from feces.

Plasma MK-8527: Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to 24 Hours Post-dose (AUC0-24)
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-24 of MK-8527.

Plasma MK-8527: Maximum Observed Concentration (Cmax)
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 14 days post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of MK-8527.

Plasma MK-8527: Concentration at 24 Hours Post-dose (C24)
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the C24 of MK-8527.

Plasma MK-8527: Time of the Maximum Observed Concentration (Tmax)
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 14 days post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of MK-8527.

Plasma Total Radioactivity: AUC0-24
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-24 of total radioactivity.

Plasma Total Radioactivity: Cmax
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of total radioactivity.

Plasma Total Radioactivity: C24
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the C24 of total radioactivity.

Plasma Total Radioactivity: Tmax
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of total radioactivity.

Whole Blood Total Radioactivity: AUC0-24
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Whole blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-24 of total radioactivity.

Whole Blood Total Radioactivity: Cmax
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Whole blood samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of total radioactivity.

Whole Blood Total Radioactivity: C24
At designated timepoints (up to 24 hours post-dose)

Whole blood samples will be collected to determine the C24 of total radioactivity.

Whole blood Total Radioactivity: Tmax
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Whole blood samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of total radioactivity.

Cumulative Amount of Radioactivity Recovered from Urine
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Urine samples will be collected to determine the cumulative amount of radioactivity recovered from urine.

Percent of Total Radioactive Dose Recovered from Urine
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Urine samples will be collected to determine the percent of the total radioactive dose recovered from urine.

Cumulative Amount of Radioactivity Recovered from Feces
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Fecal samples will be collected to determine the cumulative amount of radioactivity recovered from feces.

Percent of Total Radioactive Dose Recovered from Feces
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Fecal samples will be collected to determine the percent of the total radioactive dose recovered from feces.

Total Number of Metabolites in Plasma that Represent at least 10% of the Dose of Radioactivity
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Plasma samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints and used to determine the total number of metabolites that represent at least 10% of the dose of radioactivity. Metabolites will be determined using liquid scintillation and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Total Number of Metabolites in Urine that Represent at least 10% of the Dose of Radioactivity
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Urine samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints and used to determine the total number of metabolites that represent at least 10% of the dose of radioactivity. Metabolites will be determined using liquid scintillation and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Total Number of Metabolites in Feces that Represent at least 10% of the Dose of Radioactivity
At designated timepoints (up to approximately 5 weeks post-dose)

Fecal samples will be collected at pre-specified timepoints and used to determine the total number of metabolites that represent at least 10% of the dose of radioactivity. Metabolites will be determined using liquid scintillation and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to Infinity after single dosing (AUC0-Inf) of MK-8527-Triphosphate (TP) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 840 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-Inf of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve from Time 0 to Last quantifiable sample (AUC0-last) of MK-8527-TP in PBMC
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 840 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the AUC0-last of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Drug Concentration at 672 Hours (C672) of MK-8527-TP in PBMC
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 672 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the C672 of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8527-TP in PBMC
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 840 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Cmax of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Time to Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax) of MK-8527-TP in PBMC
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 840 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the Tmax of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Apparent Terminal Half-life (t1/2) of MK-8527-TP in PBMC
Pre-dose and at designated time points up to 840 hours post dose

Blood samples will be collected to determine the t1/2 of MK-8527-TP in PBMC.

Area Under the Concentration Versus Time Curve From Time 0 to Last Quantifiable Sample (AUC0-last) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the AUC0-last of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. AUC0 to last of MK-8527 was defined as the area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the time of the last quantifiable (above lower limit of quantitation) concentration. AUC0-last was calculated using noncompartmental analysis.

Area Under the Concentration Versus Time Curve From Time 0 to Infinity (AUC0-inf) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the AUC0-inf of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. AUC0-inf was defined as AUC0-last + (Cest,last/λz) where Cest,last was the estimated last measurable concentration, and λz was the apparent first-order terminal elimination rate constant.

Maximum Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the Cmax of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. Cmax was defined as the maximum observed concentration of MK-8527 in plasma after the administration of a given dose.

Time to Maximum Concentration (Tmax) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the tmax of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. Tmax of MK-8527 in plasma was determined by deriving the difference between the time of the blood draw associated with the Cmax and the time of study drug administration

Apparent Terminal Half-life (t1/2) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the t1/2 of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. t1/2 was defined as 0.693/Apparent terminal elimination rate constant (λz).

Apparent Clearance (CL/F) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the CL/F of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. CL/F was defined as dose/(AUC0-inf).

Apparent Volume of Distribution During Terminal Phase (Vz/F) of MK-8527 in Plasma
Predose, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 168 hours post dose

Blood samples were collected at pre-specified time points to determine the Vz/F of MK-8527 in participant's plasma. Vz/F of MK-8527 in plasma was determined using the formula Dose/(AUC0-inf × λz).

Area under the curve from dosing to infinity (AUC0-∞) of LNG alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~96 hours postdose
Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of LNG alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~96 hours postdose
Time to Cmax (Tmax) of LNG alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~96 hours postdose
Apparent half-life (t½) of LNG alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~96 hours postdose
AUC0-∞ of EE alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~72 hours postdose
Tmax of EE alone and with MK-8527
Up to ~72 hours postdose
Change From Baseline in Plasma HIV-1 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
Baseline and 168 hours postdose on Day 1

The mean change from baseline in HIV-1 RNA counts at 168 hours after a single doses of MK-8527 is reported.

Number of Participants Experiencing ≥1 Adverse Event (AE)
Up to 28 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Number of Participants Discontinuing From Study Due to an AE
Up to 28 days

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention.

Change From Baseline in Plasma HIV-1 RNA
Baseline and 168 hours postdose

Blood samples were taken to determine HIV-1 RNA levels at Predose (baseline) and 168 hours postdose. Data were fitted with a longitudinal data analysis (LDA) model containing fixed effects for treatment, time and treatment by time interaction, and a random effect for participant.The change from baseline in plasma HIV-1 RNA in participants administered MK-8527 was calculated and results were compared with historical placebo data.

Percentage of Participants Who Report 1 or More Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to 28 days

An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. An AE is any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with use of a medicinal product, regardless of whether or not it is considered related to the medicinal product. The percentage of participants that reported at least 1 AE will be summarized.

Percentage of Participants Who Were Discontinued From the Study Due to an AE
Up to 28 days

An AE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a participant which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the treatment. An AE is any unfavorable and unintended sign (including an abnormal laboratory finding), symptom, or disease temporally associated with use of a medicinal product, regardless of whether or not it is considered related to the medicinal product. The percentage of participants that were discontinued from the study due to an AE will be summarized.

Secondary Endpoints

Area Under the Plasma Concentration-Time Curve From Dosing to Last Measurable Concentration (AUC0-last) of MK-8527
Day 1: predose and 0.5, 4, and 24 hours postdose. Week 20: 0.5, 4, and 24 hours postdose
Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) of MK-8527
Day 1: predose and 0.5, 4, and 24 hours postdose. Week 20: 0.5, 4, and 24 hours postdose
Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve From Time Zero to Last Quantifiable Concentration (AUC0-last) of MK-8527
At designated time points (up to approximately 2 weeks)
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingQUADRUPLE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposePREVENTION

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
MK-8527 + Placebo to FTC/TDFEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 11 mg MK-8527 once monthly (QM) and placebo matched to Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (FTC/TDF) once daily (QD) for up to approximately 2 years. Participants will then receive open-label 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD for an additional 28 days.
FTC/TDF + Placebo to MK-8527ACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants will receive 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD and placebo matched to MK-8527 QM for up to approximately 2 years. Participants will then receive open-label 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD for an additional 28 days.
MK-8527EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive 11 mg MK-8527 once monthly (QM) and placebo to FTC/TDF once daily (QD) for up to approximately 2 years. Participants will then receive open-label 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD for an additional 28 days.
FTC/TDFACTIVE_COMPARATORParticipants will receive 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD and placebo to MK-8527 QM for up to approximately 2 years. Participants will then receive open-label 200 mg FTC/245 mg TDF QD for an additional 28 days.
MK-8527 Low Dose QMEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive oral MK-8527 low dose QM for 6 months, followed by an 8-week blinded safety follow-up period.
MK-8527 Medium Dose QMEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive oral MK-8527 medium dose QM for 6 months, followed by an 8-week blinded safety follow-up period.
MK-8527 High Dose QMEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive oral MK-8527 high dose QM for 6 months, followed by an 8-week blinded safety follow-up period.
Placebo to MK-8527PLACEBO_COMPARATORParticipants receive oral placebo matched to MK-8527 QM for 6 months, followed by an 8-week blinded safety follow-up period.
MK-8527 + RifampinEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive single doses of MK-8527 alone and in combination with daily doses of rifampin.
Part 1: MK-8527EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 with food and a single dose of MK-8527 without food.
Part 2: MK-8527 + ProbenecidEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 alone and a single dose of MK-8527 in combination with probenecid.
Part 3: MK-8527 + ItraconazoleEXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 alone and a single dose of MK-8527 in combination with itraconazole.
Methadone + MK-8527EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive methadone and MK-8527.
Mild Hepatic Impairment (Group 1)EXPERIMENTALAll participants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
Moderate Hepatic Impairment (Group 2)EXPERIMENTALAll participants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
Healthy (Group 3)EXPERIMENTALAll participants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
MK-8527 PLUS Moxifloxacin and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single dose of MK-8527 followed by a single dose of moxifloxacin and a single dose of placebo depending on randomization.
Moxifloxacin PLUS MK-8527 and PlaceboEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single dose of moxifloxacin followed by a single dose of MK-8527 and a single dose of placebo depending on randomization.
Placebo PLUS MK-8527 and MoxifloxacinEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single dose of placebo followed by a single dose of MK-8527 and a single dose of moxifloxacin depending on randomization.
MK-8527 + CBZEXPERIMENTALTreatment A (Period 1): Participants will receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1. Treatment B (Period 2): Participants will receive CBZ twice a day on Days 1 to 20 and a single dose of MK-8527 coadministered with the morning dose of CBZ on Day 14. A washout period will separate Treatments A and B.
[14C]MK-8527EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive a single oral dose of \[14C\]MK-8527 on Day 1
Treatment A: MK-8527EXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single dose of MK-8527.
Treatment B: MK-8527 + FTC/TDFEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive FTC/TDF then MK-8527.
Moderate Renal ImpairmentEXPERIMENTALParticipants with moderate renal impairment receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
Severe Renal ImpairmentEXPERIMENTALParticipants with severe renal impairment receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
HealthyEXPERIMENTALHealthy participants receive a single dose of MK-8527 on Day 1.
Arm 1: All ParticipantsEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive single doses of LNG/EE alone and in combination with a single dose of MK-8527.
Panel A: MK-8527 1.0 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single oral dose of MK-8527 1.0 mg.
Panel B: MK-8527 0.5 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single oral dose of MK-8527 0.5 mg.
Panel C: MK-8527 0.25 mgEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive a single oral dose of MK-8527 0.25 mg.
Panel A: 10 mg MK-8527EXPERIMENTALSingle oral dose of 10 mg MK-8527 capsule after an 8-hour fast
Panel B: 3 mg MK-8527EXPERIMENTALSingle oral dose of 3 mg MK-8527 capsule after an 8-hour fast
Panel C: 1 mg MK-8527EXPERIMENTALSingle oral dose of 1 mg MK-8527 capsule after an 8-hour fast. Dose level determined by results of previous panels.
Panel D: ≤50 mg MK-8527EXPERIMENTALSingle oral dose of ≤50 mg MK-8527 capsule after an 8-hour fast. Dose level determined by results of previous panels.
Panel E: ≤50 mg MK-8527EXPERIMENTALSingle oral dose of ≤50 mg MK-8527 capsule after an 8-hour fast. Dose level determined by results of previous panels.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
MK-8527DRUGOral tablet
Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil (FTC/TDF)DRUGOral tablet
Placebo matched to MK-8527DRUGPlacebo oral tablet matched to MK-8527
Placebo matched to FTC/TDFDRUGPlacebo oral tablet matched to FTC/TDF
FTC/TDFDRUGOral tablet
Placebo to MK-8527DRUGPlacebo tablet matched to MK-8527
Placebo to FTC/TDFDRUGPlacebo tablet matched to FTC/TDF
RifampinDRUGAdministered orally
ProbenecidDRUGOral tablet
ItraconazoleDRUGOral solution
MethadoneDRUGFormulated per local guidelines, administered orally.
MoxifloxacinDRUGOral administration
PlaceboDRUGOral administration
CBZDRUGOral Extended-release Capsule
[14C]MK-8527DRUGOral Dose
LNG/EEDRUGLNG/EE combination tablet taken by mouth.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range16 Years to 30 Years
SexFEMALE
Healthy VolunteersYes
Study Sites30

Inclusion Criteria: The main inclusion criteria include but are not limited to the following: * Is confirmed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-uninfected based on negative HIV-1/HIV-2 test results * Has been sexually active (2 vaginal intercourse encounters with cisgender male individual(s) withi...

Countries:KenyaSouth AfricaUgandaUnited StatesArgentinaBrazilChileColombiaDominican RepublicFranceGuatemalaMalaysiaPeruPhilippinesSwitzerlandThailandVietnamIsraelRomania
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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

MEDIUMSep 3, 2026NCT07661108Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
MEDIUMSep 3, 2026NCT07661108Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
LOWAug 28, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 28, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
HIGHAug 26, 2026NCT07528508Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING → COMPLETED
HIGHAug 26, 2026NCT07528508Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING → COMPLETED
LOWAug 24, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 24, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 24, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 24, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 14, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 14, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 14, 2026NCT07071623lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 14, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 11, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 11, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 11, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 4, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
LOWAug 4, 2026NCT07044297lastUpdatePostDate: changed
MEDIUMAug 3, 2026NCT07528508Status: RECRUITING → ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Frequently asked questions about MK-8527

What is MK-8527 used for?

MK-8527 is an investigational small molecule being developed for HIV, including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is also studied in healthy participants and in people with renal or hepatic impairment to assess safety and pharmacokinetics. It is not approved and remains in clinical development.

Who makes MK-8527?

MK-8527 is developed by Merck & Company, Inc., traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MRK. The company is conducting clinical trials of MK-8527 across multiple phases for HIV-related indications.

What phase is MK-8527 in?

MK-8527 is in Phase 2 clinical development for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, based on a completed Phase 2 trial (NCT06045507). Additional Phase 1 studies have been completed in renal impairment, hepatic impairment, and drug-drug interaction settings. It is investigational and not FDA approved.

What clinical trials is MK-8527 in?

MK-8527 has completed a Phase 2 trial (NCT06045507) in participants at low risk for HIV-1 infection, and Phase 1 trials in renal impairment (NCT06295796), hepatic impairment (NCT07025551), and a drug-drug interaction study with an oral contraceptive (NCT06783192). All trials are completed.

Is MK-8527 the same as other HIV drugs?

MK-8527 is a distinct investigational compound developed by Merck. No alternative names are provided in the available data. It is being studied as a potential oral pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, but it is not yet approved.