Merck’s Keytruda shrinks lung cancer tumors, FDA approval sought

Merck & Co Inc’s Keytruda, approved for treating melanoma, was shown in a trial to shrink tumors in nearly half of advanced lung cancer patients with high levels of a protein used by tumors to evade the body’s own disease-fighting cells. The company said it has filed for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the drug as a treatment for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has worsened despite previous treatment. Keytruda, also known as pembrolizumab, belongs to a new class of drugs designed to help the immune system fend off cancer by blocking a protein known as Programmed Death receptor (PD-1), or a related target known as PD-L1. Merck said its FDA lung cancer filing is for patients with both squamous and non-squamous NSCLC.
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Teva shares slide on generic Copaxone fears

A sign bearing the logo of Teva is seen in JerusalemBy Steven Scheer and Tova Cohen TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Teva Pharmaceutical Industries shares slid five percent on Sunday after U.S. regulators approved a generic version of its top-selling multiple sclerosis drug and amid reports it was mulling a bid for rival Mylan. Teva's Tel Aviv shares fell to 249.80 shekels ($64) late on Sunday, the first day of trading since both news hit the market on Thursday after Israel's market closed for the weekend. Teva's New York-listed shares fell 3.8 percent on Thursday but gained 2.2 percent on Friday, ending the week at $64.91. In a potentially major blow for Teva, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic version of multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone, which accounts for about half the company's profit.

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