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Merck & Co. Calls Time On Flop TIGIT And LAG-3 Programs

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

After investing heavily in both mechanisms for IO-IO combinations, Merck is cutting its losses with vibostolimab and favezelimab, and switching its anticancer bets to other modalities.

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Once a key part of its next-generation plans in cancer, Merck & Co. has called a halt to the last remaining Phase III studies of its TIGIT- and LAG-3 targeting immunotherapy assets.

The two immunotherapy mechanisms had been seen as strong contenders for use in combination with anti-PD-1/L-1 checkpoint inhibitors, most notably Merck’s own market leader Keytruda (pembrolizumab). However, Merck has seen...

Key Takeaways
  • Merck is halting all of its remaining Phase III and Phase II studies with its TIGIT asset, vibostolimab, and LAG-3, favezelimab.
  • The...

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