Etravirine is a second-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) developed for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It was designed to overcome resistance associated with earlier NNRTIs such as efavirenz and nevirapine. Development began in the early 2000s by Tibotec, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Etravirine showed activity against many HIV strains resistant to first-generation NNRTIs. Clinical trials demonstrated its effectiveness when used in combination with other antiretroviral agents. The drug received approval from the U.S. FDA in 2008. It was primarily indicated for treatment-experienced patients with resistant HIV. Etravirine binds flexibly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme, reducing resistance impact. Its introduction expanded options for managing drug-resistant HIV infections. Today, etravirine remains an important component of combination antiretroviral therapy.
