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Death Excess Gives Pause To Merck & Co Keytruda MM Phase III Studies

 
• By Alexandra Shimmings

Merck & Co has put the brakes on enrolment into two Phase III trials of Keytruda in multiple myeloma to allow it to investigate more deaths in the groups receiving the anti-PD1 product.

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Putting On The Brakes • Source: Shutterstock

Merck & Co. Inc. has halted enrolment into two Phase III studies of its leading checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab) after receiving higher reports of death in the arms receiving the drug.

The two studies – KEYNOTE-183 and KEYNOTE-185 – are looking at the anti-PD1 monoclonal in combination with other therapies for the treatment of multiple myeloma

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Pipeline Watch: Thirteen Approvals And Ten Phase III Readouts

Pipeline Watch is a weekly snapshot of selected late-stage clinical trial events and approvals announced by pharmaceutical and biotech companies at medical and industry conferences, in financial and company presentations, and in company releases and statements.