Merck's New Drug Approved for Rare Lung Disease

The FDA has approved Merck's new treatment, sotatercept, for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH affects around 40,000 Americans, mainly women of color, leading to increased blood pressure and heart failure risks. Sotatercept is the first new treatment for PAH approved in nearly 10 years. Clinical trials showed an 83% reduction in the risk of death or increased severity of the disease. With this breakthrough, patients can look forward to longer and improved lives. Analysts estimate potential peak sales of $7.5 billion for sotatercept, expecting it to be a game-changer in the market. This FDA approval signals hope for patients with PAH and presents a significant advancement in pulmonary hypertension treatment.