Merck raises stakes in lung cancer as rivals close in

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Merck & Co Inc, maker of the only immunotherapy approved for patients newly-diagnosed with the most common type of lung cancer, could solidify its lead by playing the long game, even as rivals edge closer.
Shares of Merck have fallen 10 percent since the drugmaker several weeks ago said it would make survival a main goal of a key lung cancer trial for immunotherapy Keytruda, extending the study by up to a year.
In the meantime, Roche Holding AG has shaken up Wall Street expectations for the $15-billion lung cancer market, showing its Tecentriq immunotherapy slows the spread of advanced lung cancer when combined with older treatments. Roche Chief Executive Severin Schwan said the Swiss company has “the potential to get into the lead in first-line lung cancer.”

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Merck & Co Inc, maker of the only immunotherapy approved for patients newly-diagnosed with the most common type of lung cancer, could solidify its lead by playing the long game, even as rivals edge closer.
Shares of Merck have fallen 10 percent since the drugmaker several weeks ago said it would make survival a main goal of a key lung cancer trial for immunotherapy Keytruda, extending the study by up to a year.
In the meantime, Roche Holding AG has shaken up Wall Street expectations for the $15-billion lung cancer market, showing its Tecentriq immunotherapy slows the spread of advanced lung cancer when combined with older treatments. Roche Chief Executive Severin Schwan said the Swiss company has “the potential to get into the lead in first-line lung cancer.”