PD-L1 mAb Bavencio gets first EU approval

The European Commission approved Bavencio avelumab from Merck KGaA (Xetra:MRK) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to treat metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma. The companies expect to initially launch the human IgG1 mAb against PD-L1 in Germany and the U.K. as early as next month.

Bavencio has accelerated approval in the U.S. to treat metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (see BioCentury Extra, March 23 & May 9)...