Merck CEO sees Keytruda in pole position in cancer race
By Ben Hirschler DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – Merck & Co's Keytruda cancer drug, which last week won a speedy review from U.S. regulators for use with chemotherapy in lung cancer, is in an increasingly strong position in a fiercely competitive market, the company&039;s CEO said on Thursday. Chief Executive Ken Frazier said that Keytruda would also be cheaper than some rival approaches — an increasingly important consideration in an era of heightened controversy about high drug prices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is due to decide by May 10 whether to approve a combination of the immune system-boosting drug with chemotherapy as an initial therapy for advanced lung cancer, the largest cancer market.
