Shots: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 ±…
Shots: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…
Shots:Health Canada has approved Keytruda + chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for the treatment of adults with FIGO 2014 Stage III-IVA cervical cancerApproval 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…
Shots: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…
Shots: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, 2026DOR/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 studyThe…
Shots:Merck has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Verona Pharma incl. its asset Ohtuvayre (ensifentrine), expanding its cardio-pulmonary pipeline & portfolioAs 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 Q4'25Ohtuvayre…
Shots :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 progressionThe study met its 1EP of TTCW measured by the first confirmed morbidity or…
Shots:Merck & Daiichi Sankyo have dosed first pts with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in its P-III (IDeate-Prostate01) trial for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), which was initiated based on positive P-I/II (IDeate-PanTumor01) trial dataThe P-III (IDeate-Prostate01) trial will evaluate I-DXd (12mg/kg) vs docetaxel (75mg/m²) plus corticosteroid in ~1440 mCRPC pts, who progressed during or after…
Shots:The US FDA has approved neoadj. Keytruda followed by adj. Keytruda + SoC radiotherapy (RT) ± cisplatin & then as a single agent to treat operable LA-HNSCC based on P-III (KEYNOTE-689) trialTrial assessed neoadj. Keytruda (200mg, IV, Q3W × 2 cycles), followed by adj. Keytruda (15 cycles) + SoC RT ± cisplatin vs…
Shots :Merck’s ENFLONSIA has been approved by the US FDA to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants entering their first RSV season, offering protection for up to 5mos. with a single 105mg dose, regardless of weightThe approval was supported by the P-IIb/III (CLEVER) study of ENFLONSIA that demonstrated reduced…

