Merck's Remigromig Matches Lucentis in Eye Drug Trial, But Safety Concerns Emerge

Merck's experimental eye drug, remigromig, has shown non-inferiority to Roche's VEGF inhibitor Lucentis in correcting vision for patients with diabetic macular edema. The Phase 2b/3 trial, dubbed BRUNELLO, enrolled 984 patients and demonstrated that both doses of remigromig were as effective as Lucentis in improving visual acuity.

However, safety concerns have emerged from the trial, with a higher rate of discontinuations due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and vitreous hemorrhage. Merck acknowledged that these side effects are concerning, but stated that remigromig was generally well-tolerated.

Analysts at Guggenheim were impressed by the results, citing the fact that a novel mechanism of action has matched Lucentis in a clinical trial for the first time. However, BMO Capital Markets expressed caution, noting that the side effects and lack of detailed data may limit enthusiasm for the drug.

The outcome is not a major catalyst for investors, according to Guggenheim, as Merck works to build its post-Keytruda future. The company has other pipeline assets in development, including intismeran autogene, an mRNA cancer vaccine, and sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), a targeted ADC.