Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, CEO Rob Davis expects the manufacturing time for the personalized cancer vaccine being developed together with Moderna to be shortened from the current six weeks. He tells CNBC in an interview.
The vaccine, which is combined with the cancer drug Keytruda, has shown positive preliminary results in a late-stage clinical trial in patients with malignant melanoma. The companies are also investigating the treatment for other types of cancer. By shortening the development time, the market can be broadened.
”We will work on improvements, but right now the focus is on ensuring that we have sufficient supply and that the market is ready to launch this important innovation. After that, we can discuss how we can speed up the process”, the head of Merck & Co tells CNBC.
The statement comes as Merck inaugurated a new research facility in Pennsylvania. At the same time, the company has invested around 65 billion dollars in acquisitions and licensing agreements over five years to strengthen its pharmaceutical portfolio ahead of the expiration of important patents on Keytruda.
