Keytruda tops Yervoy in first-line melanoma

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) said an interim analysis of a Phase III trial showed Keytruda pembrolizumab was superior to Yervoy ipilimumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY) on the co-primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) as first-line treatment for advanced melanoma. Merck has stopped the trial, KEYNOTE-006, which it had expected to complete in March 2016.

Merck spokesperson Pamela Eisele declined to say when the company will file for a label extension. Merck expects to present data next month at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in Philadelphia. ...