Merck (MRK) has announced disappointing results from its Phase 3 Keynote-361 trial evaluating Keytruda, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced or metastatic bladder cancer.The therapy did not meet its dual primary endpoints of overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS), compared with standard of care chemotherapy.In the final analysis of the study, there was an improvement in OS and PFS for patients treated with Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone; however, these results did not meet statistical significance.Keytruda’s safety profile in the trial was consistent with previously reported studies, and no new safety signals were identified, Merck said. The study had enrolled 1,010 patients.“While we are disappointed in these study results, Keytruda has been established as an important option in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer, and we are committed to continuing our research to help more patients with this disease” commented Dr. Roy Baynes, CMO of Merck Research Laboratories.Indeed, Keytruda already has three FDA-approved bladder cancer indications across multiple types and stages of bladder cancer. Plus Merck is still evaluating Keytruda as a monotherapy and in combination with other anti-cancer therapies across several disease settings (i.e., metastatic, muscle invasive bladder cancer, and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer).Keytruda is an anti-PD-1 therapy that works by increasing the ability of the body’s immune system to help detect and fight tumor cells. It is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2, thereby activating T lymphocytes which may affect both tumor cells and healthy cells.Shares in Merck are falling 10% on a year-to-date basis, but analysts have a bullish outlook on the stock with a Strong Buy consensus. This is made up of 9 recent buy ratings vs 2 hold ratings. The average analyst price target stands at $92 (12% upside potential). (See Merck stock analysis on TipRanks)Following ASCO 2020, Mizuho Securities’ Mara Goldstein wrote “A key take-away for us on MRK is the likelihood of continued dominance for Keytruda and the opportunity of the company to add to its immuno-oncology arsenal.” She has a buy rating on the stock and $100 price target.Related News: 5 Promising Covid-19 Vaccines Picked For Trump’s Operation Warp Speed What Would a Merger Mean for Gilead? Top Analyst Weighs In Soleno Plunging 48% In Pre-Market On Obesity Study Failure More recent articles from Smarter Analyst: * Coupa Software Seeks To Raise $1.1 Billion From Debt Sale * Global Airlines Are Set To Lose $84.3 Billion In 2020, IATA Says * Five Below Surges 11% After-Hours Despite Earnings Miss * Boeing’s Aircraft Deliveries Drop In May As Cancellations Rise
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(Bloomberg) — Daniel Kretinsky’s bet on Macy’s Inc. turned out to be short but profitable.The Czech billionaire’s Vesa Equity Investment said Tuesday it owned 0.7% of the U.S. department-store chain, down from the 5% stake unveiled less than a month ago. The investment, billed as a strategic move at the time, coincided with a 65% surge in the stock. Kretinsky made roughly $36 million if he bought Macy’s shares the day before disclosing his 5% stake and sold them on Tuesday.Kretinsky’s exit comes as Macy’s starts reopening stores following weeks of lockdown. The company just reported a 45% quarterly sales slump and a net loss of $630 million. Despite the recent rebound, the stock remains down 48% for the year. It was removed from the benchmark S&P 500 Index in March, and Fitch cut the company’s credit rating to junk in April.The Czech investor is known for making contrarian bets, and he’s had a few in the retail sector. Just a week after he disclosed his Macy’s stake, Vesa announced it owned 6% of sneaker seller Foot Locker Inc., another U.S. retailer hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Kretinsky also amassed shares of French grocer Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA last year as it reeled from a long fight with short sellers. That move came after a $6.5 billion takeover offer for German wholesaler Metro AG was rebuffed.In the May 11 filing disclosing the 5% investment in Macy’s, Vesa said it may sell or raise its stake depending on market conditions. It also planned to discuss the company’s business, operations, financial conditions and strategic plans with the management, board or other interested parties.Kretinsky’s public relations manager didn’t reply to a text message seeking comment on the investment change.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.