Merck Confident In Keytruda’s Dominance In Lung Cancer, Despite Competitors’ Data

The privately held German pharma firm is hoping to bring a new generation of pulmonary fibrosis and cancer drugs to market but their commercial success is not yet a certainty.

In its Q2 update, Viking reported that Phase III trials of subcutaneous VK2735 are under way, and that it expects Phase II data for an oral formulation before year’s end.

The Swiss giant has been talking to the US government about selling medicines directly to patients.

With drug sector indexes underperforming the broad market in the first half of 2025, investors may have been anticipating tariff-related and other headwinds. But impending loss of exclusivity on key products may be provoking more anxiety at this point.