Merck leapfrogs rivals in lung cancer drug combination race

Merck & Co has pulled ahead of rivals in the race to combine immunotherapy with other drugs as a treatment for lung cancer, potentially giving it a major lift in the battle for the largest cancer market. U.S. regulators have agreed to a speedy review of Merck’s application to combine its immune system-boosting drug Keytruda with chemotherapy as an initial therapy for advanced lung cancer, the U.S. drugmaker said. Merck said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would decide by May 10 whether to approve its Keytruda combination treatment, sending the company’s stock 5 percent higher in early U.S. trading on Wednesday.
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Ryan: Obamacare repeal to have transition time, replacement

Ryan holds a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in WashingtonWASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. House Republicans&; efforts to repeal Obamacare will include a "stable transition period" as well as a plan to replace President Barack Obama&039;s signature health care law, House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters on Tuesday. Ryan, speaking at a press conference, said House lawmakers will pass whatever they can on a health care replacement plan through the reconciliation and budget bill, then use a regular legislative process for additional measures. (Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Writing by Susan Heavey)

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Japan’s Takeda to buy U.S. cancer drug maker Ariad in $5.2 billion deal

Logos of Japanese Takeda Pharmaceutical Co are seen at an office building in GlattbruggJapan&;s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd said it would buy cancer drug maker Ariad Pharmaceuticals Inc in a deal valued at $5.20 billion, to beef up its oncology pipeline. Takeda — which in September revealed it was scouting for multi-billion dollar acquisitions to reduce its dependence on domestic sales — agreed to pay $24 for each Ariad share, a premium of about 75 percent to its Friday close. Takeda&039;s top-selling blood cancer drug Velcade is expected to face generic competition this year and other key products go off patent from 2020.

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