Merck KGaAMRK.DE
Oncology40 cited findings · profile updated 2026-08-20
About Merck KGaA
MRK.DE's oncology research focuses on treatments like TEPMETKO (tepotinib) and BAVENCIO. TEPMETKO has been associated with various adverse events, including edema (81% All Grades, 16% Grades 3 to 4), fatigue (30% All Grades, 1.9% Grades 3 to 4), and nausea (31% All Grades, 1.3% Grades 3 to 4). Laboratory abnormalities with TEPMETKO include decreased lymphocytes (57% Grades 1 to 4, 15% Grades 3 to 4) and increased potassium (26% Grades 1 to 4, 1.9% Grades 3 to 4).
BAVENCIO has been studied in combination with axitinib, with a Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis incidence of 4.9%. Infusion-related reactions for BAVENCIO include a 0.5% incidence of Grade 3 and a 0.2% incidence of Grade 4 reactions. In the JAVELIN Merkel 200 study, pruritus (all grades) was observed in 10% of patients, while headache (Grade 3-4) was 0%.
Compiled from the cited findings below — figures are as stated in each company's published technical reports and filings.
Key figures — cited
| Edema (All Grades) | 81 % | EMD SERONO INC — Tepmetko FDA Review (NDA/BLA 214096, 2025), p.15 |
| Decreased lymphocytes (Grades 1 to 4) | 57 % | EMD SERONO INC — Tepmetko FDA Review (NDA/BLA 214096, 2025), p.16 |
| Increased potassium (Grades 1 to 4) | 26 % | EMD SERONO INC — Tepmetko FDA Review (NDA/BLA 214096, 2025), p.16 |
| Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis incidence (BAVENCIO with axitinib) | 4.9 % | EMD SERONO INC — Bavencio FDA Review (NDA/BLA 761049, 2020), p.21 |
| Pruritus (all grades) in JAVELIN Merkel 200 | 10 % | EMD SERONO INC — Bavencio FDA Review (NDA/BLA 761049, 2020), p.26 |
| Grade 3 infusion-related reactions incidence | 0.5 % | EMD SERONO INC — Bavencio FDA Review (NDA/BLA 761049, 2020), p.23 |
Key projects
- TEPMETKO (tepotinib)
Edema was observed in 81% (All Grades) and 16% (Grades 3 to 4) of patients treated with TEPMETKO.
- BAVENCIO with axitinib
The incidence of Grade 3 or 4 immune-mediated hepatitis was 4.9% with BAVENCIO and axitinib.
- JAVELIN Merkel 200
Pruritus (all grades) was reported in 10% of patients in the JAVELIN Merkel 200 study.
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