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Merck's Keytruda Wins NSCLC Edge Over BMS' Opdivo

 
• By Francesca Bruce

NICE has changed its mind and provisionally recommended Merck's Keytruda for non-small-cell lung cancer thanks to a discount. The news means Merck could gain an edge over rival drug Opdivo from BMS, which has so far had less success with NICE.

New draft guidance from NICE, the health technology appraisal institute for England and Wales, recommends Merck & Co. Inc.'s PD-1 inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for some non-small cell lung cancer patients. The news could put Keytruda ahead of its rival and fellow PD-1 inhibitor from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s, Opdivo (nivolumab), which has so far failed to secure a positive recommendation from the institute.

NICE is now recommending Keytruda for treating locally advanced or metastatic PD-L1-positive non-small-cell lung cancer in adults who have had at least one chemotherapy (and targeted treatment if they have...

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HHS Intensifies Pressure On Pharma With MFN Pricing Benchmark

 
• By Jessica Merrill

The Trump administration released more details on “most favored nation” price targets drug companies are expected to apply to US drug prices.

Lupin CEO On Trump’s Most Favored Nation Policy, Tariffs, Firm’s Five-Year Plan

 
• By Vibha Ravi

Lupin CEO Vinita Gupta speaks on Trump’s most favored nation policy, the Inflation Reduction Act’s “pill penalty” and other developments in the US, a major market for the company. The company also outlines a five-year plan focused on complex generics and technology platforms.

Most Favored Nation Policy ‘Lazy, Misguided,’ But US Price Reforms Politically ‘Inevitable’

 
• By Cathy Kelly

Policy experts and pharma executives react to President Trump’s executive order on “equalizing” drug prices between the US and comparable nations at the ISPOR 2025 conference.

Cipla Leadership’s Early Take On Trump’s Pricing EO And Pipeline Progress

 
• By Anju Ghangurde

Cipla's CEO underlines that US generic prices are already “very significantly comparable” with the rest of the world and expects President Donald Trump's executive order on drug pricing to primarily impact branded pharmaceuticals. The company also shared updates on its US pipeline.

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Merus Bispecific Impresses In Head And Neck Cancer

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Updated Phase II results from petosemtamab have impressed ahead of ASCO, outshining Keytruda monotherapy and its bispecific rival from Bicara.

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.