Dutch court rules Merck infringed patent on new Keytruda formulation
A Dutch court ordered Merck to halt manufacturing and marketing a subcutaneous Keytruda formulation in several European countries; Merck said it strongly disagreed.
Key facts
- A Dutch court ruled that Merck infringed a patent pertaining to a subcutaneous formulation of its Keytruda cancer treatment, according to STAT News.
- The court ordered Merck to halt manufacturing and marketing the subcutaneous formulation in several European countries, including France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
- STAT News reported the ruling is part of a widening patent infringement dispute with Halozyme Therapeutics over Keytruda, which the outlet described as a best-selling cancer treatment.
- Patients will still have access to the existing intravenous version of Keytruda, which STAT News reported is not affected by the dispute or the court order.
- Merck said in a statement that it "strongly" disagreed with the court's decision.
A Dutch court ruled that Merck infringed a patent pertaining to a subcutaneous formulation of its Keytruda cancer treatment, according to a STAT News report on 7 October. The court ordered the company to halt manufacturing and marketing the medication in several European countries, including France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands. A subcutaneous formulation is a version of a drug given under the skin rather than into a vein.
STAT News reported the ruling came as part of a widening patent infringement dispute with Halozyme Therapeutics over the best-selling cancer treatment. The outlet described the ruling as a setback for Merck.
Merck said in a statement that it "strongly" disagreed with the court's decision, according to STAT News. Patients requiring Keytruda will still have access to the existing intravenous version, which STAT News reported is not affected by the patent dispute or the court order.
Context
Keytruda is a best-selling cancer treatment, according to STAT News. The court case is part of a patent dispute between Merck and Halozyme Therapeutics over a subcutaneous version of the drug.
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