Merck's Subcutaneous Keytruda Demonstrates Comparable Efficacy in Phase 3 Trial, Aims for Regulatory Approval Amid Competition

Merck has achieved a notable breakthrough with its subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda, which has successfully passed a Phase 3 trial, demonstrating non-inferiority to its intravenous counterpart[1]. This form of administration significantly streamlines the drug delivery process, reducing the time required to merely 2-3 minutes compared to the 30 minutes needed for intravenous infusion, thus increasing patient convenience and accessibility, especially outside urban centers[1]. This achievement is critical as Merck plans to discuss the trial outcomes with regulatory authorities to leverage this form of Keytruda as its patent approaches expiration, allowing it to sustain its competitive advantage in the burgeoning immunotherapy market[2].