Merck received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday for its new drug, Winrevair, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare, progressive, and life-threatening lung condition. 

FDA Approves Merck Drug Winrevair for Deadly Lung Condition

According to CNBC, Winrevair, the first drug of its kind to target the root cause of PAH, offers a promising avenue for patients, contrasting with existing medications that primarily help manage the symptoms. 

PAH is the narrowing of small blood vessels in the lungs, which leads to high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, ultimately damaging the heart and limiting physical activity. 

According to Merck, the mortality rate for diagnosed patients is 43% by five years, beginning from diagnosis. The drug, administered through injection every three weeks, will be available in select specialty pharmacies in the US by the end of April. 

READ NEXT: Japanese Drugmaker Shionogi Anticipates 2025 US Launch of Xocova COVID-19 Pill Amid Japan's Funding Cuts 

Winrevair of Merck

Winrevair will reportedly cost $14,000 per vial before insurance, but Merck offers assistance programs for eligible patients to alleviate out-of-pocket expenses.

Winrevair is designed to be used with existing therapies for PAH to lessen the severity of the condition, increase exercise capacity, and reduce disease progression.

Merck views the FDA approval as pivotal for its business revenue, as its leading cancer immunotherapy, Keytruda, faces potential market challenges. 

READ MORE: Microsoft Collaborates With Healthcare Institutions To Apply And Improve AI Solutions in Medicine