On October 28, 2015 Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported that KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy for the treatment of advanced melanoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients whose disease has progressed after other therapies, received the Prix Galien USA 2015 Award for Best Biotechnology Product (Press release, Merck & Co, OCT 28, 2015, View Source [SID:1234507818]).

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"As a company built on a foundation of scientific excellence, Merck is honored to again have been chosen as a recipient of this prestigious award," said Dr. Roger M. Perlmutter, president, Merck Research Laboratories. "This achievement is a testament to the remarkable contributions of everyone at Merck, as well as the many physicians and patients who participated in our clinical trials, in helping to bring KEYTRUDA to patients."

The Prix Galien Award recognizes the pharmaceutical industry’s outstanding achievement in the development of new medicines. An internationally recognized award, the Prix Galien was founded in France in 1969 by French pharmacist Roland Mehl and is considered the highest accolade for pharmaceutical research and development.

This latest award for KEYTRUDA is Merck’s seventh Prix Galien USA award in nine years. The company was previously recognized for ZOSTAVAX (2013), VICTRELIS (2012), ROTATEQ (2010), ISENTRESS (2008) and JANUVIA and GARDASIL (2007). In total, around the world, Merck has won the Prix Galien 40 times, making Merck the most-awarded company of all time.