MSD discontinues development of cancer drugs after trial failures

MSD suspends Phase 3 trials for two drug programs for different forms of cancer after trial failures.

By Ella Käck

December 18, 2024 2:08 PM

American Merck & Co, known in Europe as MSD, has discontinued the development of vibostolimab and favezelimab, two experimental cancer drugs, after their failure in several trials, according to a press release.

These drugs were tested both separately and in combination with the company's top-selling drug Keytruda.

The pharmaceutical giant said on monday it was stopping two trials of vibostolimab to treat non-small cell lung cancer after an analysis showed it was unlikely to succeed. At the same time, the company announced that the development of favezelimab is ending after after reviewing its data.

– Following a careful analysis of the data, the decision has been made to discontinue development of these candidates to prioritize other ongoing programs, said Marjorie Green, head of oncology, global clinical development at MSD's research unit, in a statement.

Vibostolimab was part of a promising new category of immunotherapies known as anti-TIGIT. This type of drug binds to TIGIT receptors on immune cells, activating the immune system against cancer cells and preventing attacks on healthy cells.

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