Merck Prepares for Keytruda Patent Cliff with 'A Lot More Deal Flow'

Merck's M&A chief expects 'a lot more deal flow' as Keytruda patent cliff nears.

According to Merck CEO Robert Davis, the company has been landing deals with urgency over the last few years in an effort to shore up the pipeline ahead of a looming patent cliff for its cancer treatment Keytruda. The patent for Keytruda is set to expire in 2026, which could lead to increased competition from generic versions of the drug and decreased sales for Merck.

The M&A chief expects that as the patent expires, 'a lot more deal flow' will occur as companies look to expand their pipelines and mitigate potential losses. However, Davis did not provide further details on what specific deals Merck is pursuing or when they might be announced.