SKYSCRAPER-06: No Surprise. Keytruda® Outshines Tecentriq® (Roche/Genentech) In Certain Non-Squamous Lung Cancers, Head To Head...

Since about mid-2015, or over nine years, we've been covering the immuno-oncology battles of major pharma concerns. Specifically, we offered deep coverage of the patent fights (Cabilly I, II and III patent fights) between Merck and Roche. [Hint: just search "Roche" in the box, at upper left.]

But it seems those will fade in importance, now that Merck is posting wins in progression free survival -- over Tecentriq, at least in some non-squamous lung cancers, in head to head comparisons. [So too, with the other main competitor, Optivo, from BMS.] Here's that report -- and a bit:

. . .On Thursday, Roche Holdings AG said that the Phase 2/3 SKYSCRAPER-06 study of tiragolumab plus Tecentriq (atezolizumab) and chemotherapy versus pembrolizumab and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for locally advanced unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, did not meet its primary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) at its primary analysis. . . .

Now you know -- and it looks like the side-effect profile for pembrolizumab is milder than the Roche offering. So, as we've long predicted, it seems Merck has clear sailing into the 2030s now.

Onward, grinning. . . . bike riding time.

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