Merck Wins US Approval of Easier-to-Use Version of Cancer Drug Keytruda

Merck & Co. won US approval for a novel version of its widely used cancer drug Keytruda that’s faster to give, a key component of the marketing strategy for one of the world’s best-selling medicines as it nears patent expiration.

Called Keytruda Qlex, the new formulation is given as a simple shot under the skin in about two minutes. The original requires an intravenous infusion lasting about half an hour. In clinical trials, Keytruda Qlex worked as well as the older medicine, while roughly cutting in half the total time required of patients and caregivers, including preparation and monitoring.