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AI + Leadership: Lessons from Merck's Global Head

AI + Leadership: Lessons from Merck's Global Head

AI meets leadership in this episode of Manager's Mantra with Dr. Harsha Gurulingappa, Global Head of AI at Merck. Learn how tech is reshaping healthcare and what it takes to lead in the AI era.

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Merck's potential cholesterol pill succeeds in late-stage studies
Merck's potential cholesterol pill succeeds in late-stage studies

Business Standard

time09-06-2025

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Merck's potential cholesterol pill succeeds in late-stage studies

Merck's oral cholesterol pill succeeded in two late-stage studies, marking a win for the drugmaker as it focuses on the development of growth drivers beyond its cancer drugs and vaccines. The company is searching for its next blockbuster candidate as its major revenue driver, Keytruda, is expected to lose patent protection by the end of the decade. Merck's non-statin cholesterol drug, enlicitide decanoate, is being tested for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, a condition that causes elevated buildup of fat in the blood vessels and can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Enlicitide works by blocking PCSK9, a protein that plays a crucial role in regulating cholesterol levels, while statins block an enzyme the liver uses to make cholesterol. BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman said Merck's drug could potentially provide a "multi-billion dollar opportunity" that expands the PCSK9 market beyond current injectable therapies. The drug showed meaningful reductions in LDL-C cholesterol, commonly referred to as "bad cholesterol", when compared to placebo and other oral non-statin therapies, Merck said. However, Leerink analysts have noted that Astrazeneca's AZD0780 is a "credible threat" as it has shown a 50.7% reduction in LDL-C levels during a trial. Merck has not given the details on LDL-C reduction for enlicitide. The drug was tested in patients who have a history of, or are at risk for a type of heart disease, and were treated with a statin. Shares of Merck were up 2% in premarket trading.

Dr Reddy's, Alvotech to co-develop Keytruda biosimilar
Dr Reddy's, Alvotech to co-develop Keytruda biosimilar

Time of India

time05-06-2025

  • Time of India

Dr Reddy's, Alvotech to co-develop Keytruda biosimilar

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Alvotech are collaborating to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a biosimilar version of Keytruda, a highly successful cancer drug. This partnership aims to provide more affordable treatment options globally as Merck's patents begin to expire around 2028. The collaboration will enhance Dr. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: Dr Reddy's Laboratories has entered into a collaboration with Reykjavik, Ireland-based biotech company Alvotech to co-develop, manufacture and commercialise a biosimilar version of blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for the global (generic name is pembrolizumab ), manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co , is the most successful medicine, recording worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024. It is used to treat multiple forms of the terms of the agreement, both companies will be jointly responsible for developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and sharing costs and responsibilities, Hyderabad-based DRL said in a statement on to certain exceptions, each party will have the right to commercialise the product traditional generics, which often face automatic patent infringement claims, biosimilars are developed more like original drugs, complete with clinical trials and patent disclosures, giving them a better chance of overcoming legal challenges. Also, Merck's core patents on pembrolizumab in the US are expected to start expiring around 2028.'This (collaboration) demonstrates our ability to develop and manufacture high quality and affordable treatment options for patients worldwide,' Erez Israeli, chief executive of DRL, said.Róbert Wessman, chairman and CEO of Alvotech, said, 'The agreement enables us to increase the availability of cost-effective, critical biologic medications to patients worldwide.'Keytruda is approved in the US to treat 40 cancers, unlike most medicines that treat a few indications or medical India, it is approved for use in 17 indications across 10 cancers or tumour types. Oncologists mostly prescribe it to treat certain types of lung cancers, followed by gastrointestinal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and head and neck helps the body's immune system, which is the T-cells, to detect and fight cancer cells that hide and spread in organs.'Oncology has been a top focus therapy area for us, and this collaboration will enhance our capabilities in oncology, as pembrolizumab currently represents one of the most critical therapies in immuno-oncology ,' Israeli has been out of reach for most patients in India due to its exorbitant cost – roughly about Rs 2 lakhs for each dose. However, with Merck's patent set to expire in a few years and with Indian drug manufacturers looking to come up with more affordable versions of the drug it may play a crucial role in widening adoption across a larger cohort of patients.

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