In a disappointing outcome, Merck & Co. Inc. and Eisai Co. Ltd. announced on Friday that their joint treatment of Keytruda and Lenvima failed to meet its primary goals in a late-stage trial for certain types of endometrial cancer. The combination therapy did not show sufficient improvement in overall survival or progression-free survival compared to the current standard chemotherapy treatment.
Although the trial results were not successful, both companies remain committed to further exploring the potential of the Keytruda and Lenvima combination in patients with other challenging-to-treat cancers. Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, the vice president of global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, expressed this sentiment in a statement.
The Keytruda and Lenvima combination has already received approval in the United States and other countries for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer and advanced renal cell cancer. Despite the trial setback, both Merck and Eisai shares showed minimal movement in premarket trading on Friday. Merck’s shares have experienced a 6.4% decline since the beginning of the year, while Eisai’s shares have seen a 21% decrease.
