Dutch ruling halts Merck's subcutaneous Keytruda across eight European markets
A court in the Netherlands has ordered Merck to cease making and selling the injectable version of Keytruda in eight European countries. The ruling found that Merck violated a patent held by Halozyme. The decision affects the subcutaneous formulation of the cancer immunotherapy.
A court in the Netherlands has barred Merck from producing and selling the subcutaneous form of Keytruda in eight European countries. The order follows a finding that Merck infringed a patent held by Halozyme. The affected product is an injectable version of the cancer immunotherapy.
The decision applies specifically to that formulation and to those eight markets. It places a legal restriction on Merck's continued manufacture and sale of the product in those territories.
The ruling could disrupt access for patients in the eight affected European markets who use the subcutaneous form of Keytruda. Clinicians and health systems may need to adjust treatment planning if supply or sales are halted. Merck and Halozyme could see commercial and legal effects. More broadly, the case may influence how patent conflicts affect the availability of injectable cancer therapies.