Padcev/Keytruda Results Could Sweeten Potential Seagen/Merck Deal

Most Observers Still Want More Detailed Data From Urothelial Cancer Study

Seagen/Astellas announced Phase Ib/II trial data for the combination that could lead to an accelerated approval for the antibody-drug conjugate in first-line bladder cancer.

Seagen/Astellas announced topline results from the Phase Ib/II study of Padcev/Keytruda in urothelial cancer • Source: Shutterstock

Topline results from Seagen Inc. /Astellas Pharma, Inc.’s Phase Ib/II EV-103 trial of Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) and Merck & Co., Inc.’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in first-line unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer may help bolster investor enthusiasm around the alleged efforts by Merck to buy Seagen. The results themselves look incrementally positive, but it is likely more data will need to come out to provide a sense of how the results might affect practice.

Seagen and Astellas said on 26 July that results demonstrated a 64.5% objective response rate (ORR) in the EV-103 trial...

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