Merck, Pfizer, Astellas Bladder Cancer Treatment Approved by FDA
By Elias Schisgall
The Food and Drug Administration approved a combination treatment by Merck & Co., Pfizer, and Astellas Pharma for a hard-to-treat form of bladder cancer.
The agency greenlit Merck's Keytruda and its subcutaneous formulation Keytruda QLEX, together with Astellas and Pfizer's Padcev, to treat adults with muscle-invasive bladder cancer who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
The approval comes after the FDA granted priority review for the treatment combination in April. The agency had previously approved the combination for patients who are ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Merck Research Laboratories's head of oncology, Marjorie Green, said the approval represents a new range of options for patients eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
The results of the companies' studies, Green said, "highlight the potential of these new treatment options for patients regardless of cisplatin eligibility in the perioperative setting and mark a promising step forward in the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer."
Merck signed an agreement to evaluate the Padcev/Keytruda combination in 2019. Padcev was developed by Astellas and Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer for $43 billion in 2023.
Write to Elias Schisgall at elias.schisgall@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 10, 2026 14:56 ET (18:56 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent financial advice before making any decisions based on such content. The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
Popular
4 Stocks to Buy Before They Rise Further
2 Undervalued Stocks to Buy Before They Rebound
The 10 Best Companies to Invest in Now
The 10 Best Dividend Stocks
United States