Merck KGaA, Pfizer PD-L1 mAb Wins Accelerated Approval for Rare Skin Cancer

FDA approved Merck KGaA and Pfizer’s checkpoint inhibitor BAVENCIO® (avelumab) for treating metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (mMCC) in adults and children aged 12 years and over. The fully human mAb is the first treatment approved for the rare, aggressive form of skin cancer, and was cleared through the agency’s accelerated approval process. BAVENCIO also has Breakthrough Therapy Designation.Pfizer and Merck KGaA inked their potentially $2.85 billion collaboration for global deve