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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

44

ongoing clinical studies in Switzerland (as of 10/2023)

14

first-in-class medicines and vaccines approved in Switzerland since 2000 (as of 10/2023)

143

million Swiss francs invested in research since 2012 (as of 10/2023)

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 10/2023)

(published on www.clinicaltrials.gov)

Map: MSD Switzerland clinical trial sites (as of 10/2023)

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 Immunology

Intestinal Disease

MK7240-001 – study in start-up

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Program to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-7240 in Participants with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis

Study centers: Bern, St.Gallen, Zürich


Skin Disease

MK6194-007 – study in start-up

A Phase 2a, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of MK-6194 in Adult Participants with Non-Segmental Vitiligo

Study centers: St.Gallen, Zürich


In the field of Infectiology

HIV

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-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, Geneva

 

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 closed

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

 

MK8591A-053 – study in start-up

A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Study to Evaluate the Antiretroviral Activity, Safety, and Tolerability of Doravirine/Islatravir (DOR/ISL 100 mg/0.25 mg) Once-Daily in HIV-1 Infected Treatment-Naïve Participants

Study centers: Basel, Geneva

 

MK-8591A-054 – recruitment closed

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

 

MK4280A-008 – study in start-up

A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Study of MK-4280A (coformulated favezelimab [MK-4280] plus pembrolizumab [MK-3475]) Versus Physician’s Choice Chemotherapy in PD-(L)1-refractory, Relapsed or Refractory

Study centers: Bellinzona


Esophageal cancer

MK-3475-06A – recruitment open

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 – recruitment open

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-3475-689/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 closed

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-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, Zurich

 

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


Lung Cancer

MK2870-019 – study in start-up

A Phase 3 Randomized Open-label Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab with or without MK-2870 in Resectable Stages II-IIIB (N2) NSCLC for participants not achieving pCR after Receiving Neoadjuvant Pembrolizumab with Platinum-based Doublet Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery

Study centers: Lausanne, Fribourg, Frauenfeld, St.Gallen

 

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, 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

 

V940-002 – study in start-up

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo- and Active-Comparator-Controlled Clinical Study of Adjuvant V940 (mRNA-4157) Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Adjuvant Placebo Plus Pembrolizumab in Participants With Resected Stage II, IIIA, IIIB (N2) Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Study centers: Baden, St.Gallen


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-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

 

V940-001 – study in start-up

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Comparator-Controlled Clinical study of Adjuvant V940 (mRNA-4157) Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Adjuvant Placebo Plus Pembrolizumab in Participants With High-Risk Stage II-IV Melanoma

Study centers:, Bern, Chur, Genf, Zürich


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 – recruitment open

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-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-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

 

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-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


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


Uterine cancer

MK2870-005 – study in start-up

A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-controlled, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of MK-2870 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Physician’s Choice in Participants With Endometrial Cancer Who Have Received Prior Platinum-based Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy

Study centers: Bern, Bellinzona, Chur, Lausanne, Basel


Click here for an overview of Switzerland-wide studies that are seeking participants www.kofam.ch

CH-NON-00136, 10/2023