Clinical studies
“Clinical studies are the key to gaining new knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We’re proud to be contributing to this effort in Switzerland.”
Klaudia Georgi, Director Clinical Research MSD Switzerland & Austria
Our work by the numbers
ongoing clinical studies in Switzerland (as of 03/2023)
first-in-class medicines and vaccines approved in Switzerland since 2000 (as of 03/2023)
million Swiss francs invested in research since 2012 (as of 03/2023)
MSD Switzerland's clinical research is coordinated at our site in the Citybay building in Lucerne
MSD's clinical study program in Switzerland (as of 03/2023)
(published on www.clinicaltrials.gov)
In the field of General Medicine
Liver disease
MK-6024-013 – study in start-up
A Phase 2b Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Efinopegdutide (MK-6024) in Adults with Precirrhotic Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Study centers: Lausanne, Lugano, St. Gallen, Zurich
Pulmonary disease
MK-5475-013 – recruitment open
A Phase 2a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-5475 in Adults With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Study centers: St.Gallen, Zurich
In the field of Infectiology
HIV
MK-8591A-017 – recruitment closed
A Phase 3 Randomized, Active-Controlled, Open-Label Clinical Study to Evaluate a Switch to MK-8591A Once-Daily in Participants With HIV-1 Virologically Suppressed on Antiretroviral Therapy
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-8591-013 – recruitment closed
A Phase 2b, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Double-Blind, Dose-Ranging Clinical Study to Evaluate a Switch to Islatravir (ISL) and MK-8507 Once-Weekly in Adults with HIV-1 Virologically Suppressed on Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) Once Daily
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich
MK-8591A-033 – recruitment closed
A Phase 3 Open-label Rollover Clinical Study of Doravirine/Islatravir (DOR/ISL) Once-daily for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection in Participants Who Previously Received DOR/ISL in a Phase 2 or Phase 3 DOR/ISL Clinical Study
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lugano, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-8591A-051 – recruitment open
A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Open-Label Clinical Study to Evaluate a Switch to Doravirine/Islatravir (DOR/ISL 100 mg/0.25 mg) Once-Daily in Participants With HIV-1 Who Are Virologically Suppressed on Antiretroviral Therapy
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Zurich
MK-8591A-054 – study in start-up
A Phase 3 Open-label Clinical Study of Doravirine/Islatravir (DOR/ISL [100 mg/0.25 mg]) Once Daily for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection in Participants Who Previously Received DOR/ISL (100 mg/0.75 mg) QD in a Phase 3 Clinical Study
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, St, Gallen, Lugano, Zurich
In the field of Oncology
Bladder Cancer
MK-3475-676/KEYNOTE-676 – recruitment open
A Phase 3, Randomized, Comparator-controlled Clinical Trial to Study the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in Participants with High-risk Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (HRNMIBC) that is Persistent or Recurrent Following BCG Induction (KEYNOTE-676)
Study centers: Basel, Geneva, Zurich
Blood Cancer (Hematologic Malignancies)
MK-1026-003 – recruitment open
A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-1026 in Participants with Hematologic Malignancies
Study centers: Bellinzona, Bern, Zurich
Colorectal Cancer
MK-3475-177/KEYNOTE-177 – recruitment closed
A Phase III Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) vs. Chemotherapy in Microsatellite Instability-High (MSI-H) or Mismatch Repair Deficient (dMMR) Stage IV Colorectal Carcinoma
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
Esophageal cancer
MK-3475-06A – Study in start-up
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of InvestigationalAgents With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer naïve to PD-1/PD-L1 Treatment (KEYMAKER-U06): Substudy 06A.
Study centers: Chur, Geneva
MK-3475-06B – Study in start-up
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label, Umbrella Platform Design Study of Investigational Agents With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer Previously Exposed to PD-1/PD-L1 Treatment (KEYMAKER-U06): Substudy 06B.
Study centers: Chur, Geneva
Head and Neck Cancer
MK-3475-048/KEYNOTE-048 – study will be closed shortly
A Phase 3 Clinical Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in First Line Treatment of Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Study center: Lausanne
MK-3475-689/KEYNOTE-689 – recruitment open
A Phase III, Randomized, Open-label Study to Evaluate Pembrolizumab as Neoadjuvant Therapy and in Combination With Standard of Care as Adjuvant Therapy for Stage III-IVA Resectable Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LA HNSCC)
Study centers: Bellinzona, Geneva
Kidney Cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma)
MK-6482-011 – recruitment open
An Open-label, Randomized, Phase 3 Study of MK-6482 in Combination with Lenvatinib (MK-7902) vs Cabozantinib for Second-line or Third-line Treatment in Participants with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Who Have Progressed After Prior Anti-PD-1/L1 Therapy
Study centers: Bellinzona, Chur, Geneva, Zurich
Liver Cancer
MK-3475-937/KEYNOTE-937 – recruitment closed
A phase III adjuvant, randomized, placebo – controlled, double-blinded study, in surgically resected or ablated HCC patients
Study centers: Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich
MK-1308A-004 – recruitment closed
A Phase 2, Multicenter, Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MK 1308A (Coformulated MK 1308/MK 3475) in Combination with Lenvatinib (E7080/MK 7902) in First-line Therapy of Participants with Advanced Hepatocellular
Study centers: Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen, Zurich
Lung Cancer
MK-3475-091/KEYNOTE-091 – outsourced – recruitment closed
A randomized, phase 3 trial with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (MK-3475) versus placebo for patients with early stage NSCLC after resection and completion of standard adjuvant therapy (PEARLS)
Study centers: Basel, Bellinzona, Bern, Chur, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich
MK-3475-495/KEYNOTE-495; KeyImPaCT – recruitment closed
KeyImPaCT: A Phase 2 Precision Oncology Study of Biomarker-Directed, Pembrolizumab-(MK-3475, SCH 900475) Based Combination Therapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Study centers: Basel, Chur, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-3475-867/KEYNOTE-867 – recruitment open
A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Participants with Medically Inoperable Stages I or IIA Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
MK-3475-B98 – recruitment closed
A Phase 1b/2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab in Combination with Investigational Agents for the Treatment of Participants With PD-1/L1-refactory Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer in Need of Second-Line Therapy
Study center: St. Gallen
MK-3475-B99 – recruitment closed
A Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Pembrolizumab plus Investigational Agents in Combination with Etoposide and Cisplatin or Carboplatin for the First Line Treatment of Participants with Extensive Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Study center: St. Gallen
MK-7684A-002 – recruitment closed
A Phase 2, Multicenter, Randomized Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of MK-7684A or MK-7684A Plus Docetaxel Versus Docetaxel Monotherapy in the Treatment of Participants With Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer With Progressive Disease After Treatment With a Platinum Doublet Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Study center: Bellinzona
Melanoma (skin cancer)
MK-3475-U02A – recruitment open
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label Rolling-Arm Umbrella Platform Design of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab or Pembrolizumab Alone in Participants with Melanoma (KEYNOTE-U02) – refractory
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
MK-3475-U02B – recruitment open
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label Rolling-Arm Umbrella Platform Design of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab or Pembrolizumab Alone in Participants with Melanoma (KEYNOTE-U02) – 1st line
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
MK-3475-U02C – recruitment open
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label Rolling-Arm Umbrella Platform Design of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab or Pembrolizumab Alone in Participants with Melanoma (KEYNOTE-U02) – neoadjuvant
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
MK-3475-U02D – recruitment open
A Phase 1/2 Open-Label Rolling-Arm Umbrella Platform Design of Investigational Agents With or Without Pembrolizumab or Pembrolizumab Alone in Participants with Melanoma (KEYNOTE-U02) – neoadjuvant
Study centers: Geneva, Zurich
MK-3475-054 / KEYNOTE-054 – outsourced – recruitment closed
Adjuvant immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) versus placebo after complete resection of high-risk Stage III melanoma: A randomized, double-blind Phase 3 trial of the EORTC Melanoma Group
Study centers: Geneva, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-3475-716/KEYNOTE-716 – recruitment closed
Adjuvant Therapy with Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo in Resected High-risk Stage II Melanoma: A Randomized, Double-blind Phase 3 Study
Study centers: Bellinzona, Basel, Bern, Chur, Geneva, Lausanne, Sion, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-7902-003 – recruitment closed
A Phase III, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) Versus Pembrolizumab Alone as First-line Intervention in Participants with Advanced Melanoma (LEAP-003)
Study centers: Chur, Zurich
MK-7684A-010 – recruitment open
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-Comparator-Controlled Clinical Study of Adjuvant MK‑7684A (Vibostolimab with Pembrolizumab) Versus Adjuvant Pembrolizumab in Participants with High-risk Stage II-IV Melanoma (KEYVIBE-010)
Study centers: St.Gallen, Zürich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Genf, Sion, Bellinzona
Prostate Cancer
MK-3475-991 / Keynote 991 – recruitment closed
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Plus Enzalutamide Versus Placebo Plus Enzalutamide in Participants With Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC) (KEYNOTE-991)
Study centers: Chur, Lausanne, St. Gallen, Zurich
Solid Tumors
MK-0472-001 – study in start-up
A Phase 1/1b Open-label, Multicenter Clinical Study of MK-0472 as Monotherapy and Combination Therapy in Participants with Advanced/Metastatic Solid Tumors.
Study centers: Geneva, Bellinzona, St. Gallen
MK-1084-001 – recruitment open
A Phase 1, Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, PK, and Efficacy of MK-1084 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Subjects with KRASG12C Mutant Advanced Solid Tumors
Study centers: Bellinzona, St. Gallen
MK-1088-002 – recruitment open
A Phase 1/Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of MK-1088 as Monotherapy and in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Participants with Advanced Solid Tumors
Study centers: Bellinzona, Chur, St. Gallen
MK-7902-005 – recruitment closed
A Multicenter, Open-label Phase 2 Study of Lenvatinib (E7080/MK-7902) Plus Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Previously Treated Subjects with Selected Solid Tumors (LEAP-005)
Study centers: Bellinzona, Bern, Chur, Geneva, St. Gallen, Zurich
MK-3475-587/KEYNOTE-587 – recruitment closed
Long-term Safety and Efficacy Extension Study for Participants with Advanced Tumors Who Are Currently on Treatment or in Follow-up in a Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Study
Study center: Basel, Geneva, Zurich
MK-7339-002 – recruitment open
A Phase 2 Study of Olaparib Monotherapy in Participants with Previously Treated, Homologous Recombination Repair Mutation (HRRm) or Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Positive Advanced Cancer
Study center: Bellinzona, Geneva, Zurich
MK-6598-001 – recruitment open
A Phase I, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability, PK, and Efficacy of MK-6598 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Participants With Advanced Solid Tumors
Study centers: Bellinzona, Geneva, St. Gallen
Stomach Cancer
MK-3475-859/KEYNOTE-859 – recruitment closed
A Phase III, randomized, double-blind clinical study of pembrolizumab (MK 3475) plus chemotherapy versus placebo plus chemotherapy as first line treatment in participants with previously untreated, HER2 negative, advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Study centers: Bellinzona, Zurich
Click here for an overview of Switzerland-wide studies that are seeking participants www.kofam.ch
CH-NON-00136, 03/2023
