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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

40

ongoing clinical studies in Switzerland (as of 03/2023)

14

first-in-class medicines and vaccines approved in Switzerland since 2000 (as of 03/2023)

135

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)

Map of study centers by clinical trial field

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