07:00 AM EDT, 03/27/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Merck ( MRK ) said Tuesday it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its drug Winrevair as a treatment for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The approval is based on the phase 3 STELLAR trial that showed Winrevair combined with background therapy increased exercise capacity and reduced risk of death, according to the company.

Winrevair is the first FDA-approved activin signaling inhibitor therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension, Merck ( MRK ) said.

Shares of the company were up 4.8% in recent Wednesday premarket activity.

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