First-Line Bavencio Bladder Cancer OK Boosts Merck KGaA

EU Approval Will Bolster Sales

Pfizer-partnered Bavencio has struggled to compete with other checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda, Opdivo, Imfinzi and Tecentriq, but could carve out a lucrative niche in first-line urothelial carcinoma.

Merck KGaA Darmstadt
Smooth EU path for latest Bavencio approval • Source: Merck KGaA

Following the failure of bintrafusp alfa for lung cancer last week, Merck KGaA's oncology operations have had a much better start to this week with the European Commission giving the green light to Bavencio for first-line urothelial carcinoma, which accounts for about 90% of all bladder cancers.

Just over a month after a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use...

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