Keytruda meets in first-line NSCLC with low PD-L1 expression

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) added $2.80 to $56.16 Monday after reporting that Keytruda pembrolizumab as monotherapy met the primary endpoint of improving overall survival (OS) in the Phase III KEYNOTE-042 trial as first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The move translates to an increase in the pharma's market cap of more than $7.5 billion.

The trial enrolled 1,274 patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, including both squamous and non-squamous histologies, expressing PD-L1 in at least 1% of tumor cells to receive Keytruda alone or standard of care (SOC) platinum-based chemotherapy. Based on a recommendation from an IDMC, Merck said the trial will continue to evaluate the secondary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS). The company plans to present the data at an upcoming medical meeting and to submit the data to regulatory authorities worldwide. ...