Merck Scientist Daria Hazuda Presents Bernard Fields Lecture at 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)
March 4, 2013 9:59 am ET
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced its worldwide head of Antiviral Basic Research and internationally renowned scientist, Daria Hazuda, Ph.D., presented the annual Bernard Fields Lecture yesterday at the opening session of the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2013) in Atlanta, Ga. The Bernard Fields Lecture is presented annually at the opening session of CROI and features a basic research scientist who has made important and timely contributions to virology and/or viral pathogenesis as exemplified by the career of Bernard Fields. The Fields Lecture by Dr. Hazuda, titled ‘Antiretroviral Drug Discovery: HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors and Beyond,’ is available on the CROI website.
“The presentation of the Fields’ lecture represents fitting recognition of Daria’s personal accomplishments and of her teams’ contributions to HIV research over the past 20 years,” said Peter S. Kim, Ph.D., president, Merck Research Laboratories. “Commitment to scientific excellence and devotion to improving health remains a focus for us all at Merck.”
Dr. Hazuda is recognized for her pioneering work in deciphering the basic biochemistry of the HIV integrase. In her current role, Dr. Hazuda leads Merck’s efforts in the discovery of novel anti-infective agents targeting HIV, hepatitis C and antimicrobial targets. Notable research that Dr. Hazuda and Merck have been involved in recently include progress made in collaboration with leading academic scientists on improving the understanding of HIV latency and developing new ways to displace dormant virus from infected cells.
Merck’s Commitment to HIV
For more than 25 years, Merck has been at the forefront of the response to the HIV epidemic, and has helped to make a difference through our proud legacy of commitment to innovation, collaborating with the community, and expanding global access to medicines. Merck is dedicated to applying our scientific expertise, resources and global reach to deliver healthcare solutions that support people living with HIV worldwide.
Today, Merck scientists are actively pursuing HIV research against multiple targets, including a next-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), MK-1439, currently in Phase IIb clinical development.
About Merck
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
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