Merck-Kelun ADC outperforms Keytruda in trial, a closely watched Parkinson’s drug fails, and more biotech news from The Readout

Adobe

Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox.

Merck’s bet on an antibody-drug conjugate developed in China has paid off in a major Phase 3 lung cancer study, where sacituzumab tirumotecan paired with Keytruda sharply outperformed Keytruda alone in a subset of lung cancer patients.

Also, the NIH is down another leader, and Sam Altman-backed longevity startup Retro Biosciences raises more funds.