Keytruda

Senator Maggie Hassan is questioning Merck about its patent and pricing practices for the cancer drug Keytruda, alleging the company uses excessive patents to delay cheaper alternatives. The letter highlights concerns that Merck's strategies have kept prices high and limited patient access, with an investigation suggesting the new injectable version could delay competition until the 2030s.

Swim Across America is hosting its 5th annual Nashville pool swim at Ensworth Natatorium to fund cancer research, including treatments like Keytruda at Vanderbilt. The event, open to all ages and swimming abilities, has raised over $150 million nationwide in 39 years and supports early-stage cancer research locally. Event Director Alyssa Corb, motivated by her brother's death from leukemia, emphasizes the event's role in advancing cancer treatments and providing hope.

Studies suggest reducing doses of cancer drugs like Keytruda could save $30 billion annually and improve patient access. Merck changed Keytruda's dosage from weight-based to fixed, but research indicates lower doses may be equally effective, while Merck disputes these findings. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supports de-escalating treatments if evidence confirms safety and efficacy.

A new personalized mRNA cancer therapy, intismeran autogene, combined with KEYTRUDA, reduced melanoma recurrence or death risk by 49% over five years in a phase 2b study. The treatment, developed by Merck and Moderna, showed sustained benefits and a manageable safety profile in high-risk melanoma patients. It is now in phase 3 trials.

An experimental lung-cancer drug, ivonescimab, showed a 34% reduction in risk of death compared to Keytruda. However, investors remain unimpressed by the results.

A study found an mRNA vaccine highly effective in preventing melanoma recurrence when combined with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug. The vaccine targets this dangerous skin cancer using personalized mRNA technology.

A study found that an mRNA vaccine is highly effective at preventing recurrence of melanoma when used in combination with Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug.

ICIJ investigated how Merck & Co. and other pharmaceutical companies used a dense web of patents to extend market exclusivity for Keytruda, a cancer drug, delaying affordable alternatives and keeping prices high. The analysis revealed strategies like patenting minor drug modifications and combinations to reset exclusivity periods, while price variations and lawsuits in Latin America highlighted patient struggles.

EU and US regulatory advisers have diverged in their assessment of AstraZeneca's breast cancer drug, signaling potential approval challenges. The disagreement highlights different regulatory approaches between the two regions on this oncology treatment.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists hosted a live Q&A discussing its Cancer Calculus investigation, which examines how pharmaceutical industry practices related to patents, pricing, and billing affect access to cancer treatments. The event featured ICIJ reporter Sydney P. Freedberg, health economist Bill Pajerowski, and digital producer Carmen Molina Acosta.

NASA has enabled scientists to study the impact of microgravity on drug development, leading to notable successes such as growing a uniform crystalline form of the cancer drug Keytruda. This has opened up possibilities for commercial applications in making drugs in space. NASA has subsidized much of this work, paying for research transportation and astronaut time.

Violeta Chuc Sam's family in Guatemala discusses her mother Francisca Violeta Sam Colop's struggle to access Keytruda, a cancer drug, highlighting systemic barriers. The story is part of the Cancer Calculus investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and partners, examining Keytruda's global pricing impacts.