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Merck has reported P-III (VICTOR) trial data assessing Verquvo (n=3,053) vs PBO (n=3,052) in pts with stable chronic heart failure & reduced ejection fraction
Trial did not meet its 1EPs of reducing CV death or HF hospitalization (18% vs 19.1%); however, 2EPs showed numerically lower rates of CV death (9.6% vs 11.3%) & HF…
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The first patient is dosed in P-III (HERTHENA-Breast04) trial (n=~1000) of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd; 5.6mg/kg) vs CT/Enhertu for unresectable LA/M, HR+, HER2- breast cancer after progression on endocrine & CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy in either adjuvant or 1L metastatic settings
HERTHENA-Breast04 was initiated based on findings from P-II (ICARUS-Breast01) & a P-I/II breast cancer study published…
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Research and Development (R&D) serves as the driving force behind groundbreaking therapeutic innovations, laying the foundation for advancements that transform patient health and overall well-being
The global Top 20 pharmaceutical leaders spent ~$180B in 2024, with Merck & Co. contributing the most with a whopping $17.93B, followed by Johnson & Johnson ($17.23B) and Roche…
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Health Canada has approved neoadj. Keytruda followed by adj. Keytruda + SoC radiotherapy (RT) ± cisplatin & then as a single agent to treat operable LA-HNSCC tumors expressing PD-L1 (CPS ≥1)
Approval was based on P-III (KEYNOTE-689) trial assessing neoadj. Keytruda (200mg, IV, Q3W × 2 cycles), followed by adj. Keytruda (15 cycles) + SoC RT ±…
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The P-III (KEYNOTE-905/EV-303) trial randomized cisplatin-ineligible MIBC pts to Arm A (3 cycles of Keytruda + surgery with 14 subsequent cycles), Arm B (surgery alone), or Arm C (3 cycles of Keytruda + Padcev before surgery, followed 6 cycles of the combination, then 8 cycles of Keytruda alone)
Arms C & B showed improved…
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Health Canada has approved Keytruda + chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for the treatment of adults with FIGO 2014 Stage III-IVA cervical cancer
Approval was based on P-III (KEYNOTE-A18/ ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047) trial assessing Keytruda (200mg, IV, Q3W × 5 cycles) + CRT followed by Keytruda (400mg, IV, Q6W × 15 cycles) vs PBO + CRT in 1060 pts with…
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Merck has initiated P-III (EXPrESSIVE-11) trial to evaluate MK-8527 (QM) vs FTC/TDF for HIV PrEP in ~4,390 individuals at higher risk across 16 countries (enrolment from Aug 2025), & will begin the P-III (EXPrESSIVE-10) trial in ~4,580 women (16-30yrs.) in sub-Saharan Africa, with enrolment starting in the next few mos.
Decision to initiate P-III…
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The US FDA accepted Merck’s NDA for once-daily oral doravirine/islatravir (DOR/ISL) for virologically suppressed HIV-1 adults; PDUFA target action date: Apr 28, 2026
DOR/ISL showed non-inferiority to bART in open-label P-III MK-8591A-051 and to BIC/FTC/TAF (50mg/200mg/25mg) in P-III MK-8591A-052 at Week 48; the safety profile was generally comparable in the P-III MK-8591A-051 study
The…
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Merck has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Verona Pharma incl. its asset Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), expanding its cardio-pulmonary pipeline & portfolio
As per the deal, Merck will acquire Verona Pharma for $107 per American Depository Share (ADS), each representing 8 ordinary Verona shares, for an aggregate of ~$10B; closing expected in Q4'25
Ohtuvayre…
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The P-III (HYPERION) study evaluating Winrevair vs PBO (both in combination with background therapy) in recently diagnosed adults (N=320, >18) with PAH (WHO Group 1) functional class (FC) II or III at intermediate or high risk of disease progression
The study met its 1EP of TTCW measured by the first confirmed morbidity or…

