Merck says Keytruda injection on par with approved IV version in trial

Alteogen

19/11/2024 11:46

Nov 19 (Reuters) - Merck  MRK.N  said on Tuesday a study
showed that its injectable version of cancer drug Keytruda was
not inferior to the currently approved intravenous formulation
of its treatment, likely making it even more accessible and
easier to administer.
    The U.S. pharmaceutical giant was testing the injectable
version of the world's biggest-selling drug in a late-stage
trial of patients with a type of lung cancer.
    The injectable version could potentially protect the drug,
which had sales of about $25 billion last year, from competition
that is expected when the IV version loses patent protection
later in the decade.
    Merck plans to discuss the results with regulators globally
as soon as possible, said Marjorie Green, head of oncology,
global clinical development at the company's research unit.
    Keytruda was injected under the skin in about 2-3 minutes in
the trial, compared with the current delivery method in which
patients are put on an intravenous drip for about 30 minutes in
a health office once every three or six weeks.
    Despite the short time of administration, the injectable
version was also non-inferior in terms of exposure in the
patients' bodies as well as its concentration immediately before
the next dose was administered, Merck said.


 (Reporting by Leroy Leo in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
 ((Leroy.Dsouza@thomsonreuters.com;))