1. Scrip
  2. >>Business
  3. >>Strategy

Merck Defends Its Offensive Strategy For Keytruda

 
• By Emily Hayes

Merck reports $314m for PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda in second quarter, mostly from melanoma indication, leaving it far behind Bristol's Opdivo. Pressed about its competitive strategy, company execs touted first-to-market advantage in first-line lung cancer and a "wall of data" that will protect in the future.

White cells

While Merck & Co. Inc.'s Keytruda continues to trail Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.’s Opdivo and most of its sales continue to derive from the melanoma indication, the firm believes it can build its position in the checkpoint race with the first-mover advantage in first-line lung cancer and a “huge wall of data” it hopes will insulate the drug from follower competitors and potential price wars later on.

Merck had the first-to-market advantage with its PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab), with approval for metastatic melanoma in October 2014. But Bristol's Opdivo (nivolumab) was cleared for the same indication two...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Strategy

Deal Watch: QurAlis Targets Fragile-X Syndrome In Deals With Quiver, UMass

 
• By Joseph Haas

Plus the end of Sanofi’s six-target alliance with IGM, OmniAb’s deals with Veraxa and Angelini, alliances involving Skye/Arecor, Genprex/UTHealth Houston and more.

GSK’s Nucala Set For Dupixent Face-Off After FDA COPD Nod

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The UK major's asthma drug gets a key expanded approval.

Zydus To Continue Mirabegron Sales, Looks To World-First Dual Shigella-Typhoid Vaccine

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Zydus expects strong mirabegron sales in FY26 amid US litigation even as it builds a growth pillar in vaccines with a world-first, Gates Foundation-aided dual shigella-typhoid vaccine under development and others on the WHO prequalified list

Challenging Environment For Biopharma Is A Tailwind For Royalty Pharma

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The royalty revenue stream acquirer has around 40 products in its portfolio and expects to generate roughly $3bn this year. Head of R&D and investments Marshall Urist talked about the investment strategy at the RBC Healthcare Conference.

More from Business

Challenging Environment For Biopharma Is A Tailwind For Royalty Pharma

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The royalty revenue stream acquirer has around 40 products in its portfolio and expects to generate roughly $3bn this year. Head of R&D and investments Marshall Urist talked about the investment strategy at the RBC Healthcare Conference.

Finance Watch: SV Closes Second Dementia Discovery Fund, Exceeding $250m Goal

 
• By Mandy Jackson

Private Company Edition: SV Health Investors revealed the final closing of its second Dementia Discovery Fund. Also, Eikon cut nearly 15% of its staff, Pathos AI raised $365m in series D venture capital and CellCentric completed a $120m series C round, among other financings.

Sanofi Makes Alzheimer’s Bet With Vigil Buy

 
• By Kevin Grogan

The French drugmaker is expanding its neurology activities with the $470m deal.