AstraZeneca is accelerating its push into cancer immunotherapy, with plans to test a key experimental drug in new tumour types. The company is seen as No. 4 in a race to develop the first drug in a new class that fights cancer by unleashing the body's immune system, behind rivals Roche, Merck & Co and Bristol-Myers Squibb.But its MEDI4736 medicine is still viewed as a highly promising agent, both on its own and in combination with other treatments.AstraZeneca said on Thursday it would launch a pivotal clinical trial programme with MEDI4736 in head and neck cancer this year, in addition to ongoing tests in lung cancer, and was also looking at expanding tests into other cancer types."There is the potential we would announce an additional tumour type beyond head and neck and non-small cell lung cancer by the end of this year," head of medicines development Briggs Morrison told analysts in a post-results conference call.
Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck), is a global health care company that delivers health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products, which it markets directly and through its joint ventures. Shares of MRK remained unchanged at $58.08. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $44.62 and as high as $59.84. On average, 8819790 shares of MRK exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 400.
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