Shock efficacy miss casts pall over Germany's Merck KGaA

6 December 2023

Unexpected results from the evobrutinib trial program represent a massive blow for Merck KGaA’s (MRK: DE) ambitions in multiple sclerosis.

The Darmstadt-based firm’s share price plummeted over a tenth on Wednesday morning, after it was revealed that the two Phase III EVOLUTION trials missed their primary efficacy endpoints.

There have been concerns over the safety of BTK blockers like evobrutinib, with regulators slowing progress to assess the impact on liver health, including recently with Roche’s (ROG: SIX) rival candidate.

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