Both Merck and Bristol-Myers reported encouraging news from separate and highly anticipated lung cancer studies.
Merck’s immunotherapy Keytruda was tested as a combo treatment with chemotherapy in recently diagnosed patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. According to the company, the risk of death was reduced by 51 percent compared to chemotherapy alone. Analysts say the news will help solidify Merck as the leader in the lucrative market for lung cancer treatments.
Bristol-Myers, meanwhile, reported details from an earlier late-stage study comparing a cocktail of immunotherapies, Opdivo and Yervoy, to chemo. After one year, progression of the cancer was stalled in 42 percent of patients (compared to chemo alone) who had advanced lung cancer and a high number of genetic mutations. The company said it is still preparing data on whether or not the Opdivo-Yervoy combo extended the patients’ lives.
Read the full Bloomberg report.