Malignant Melanoma | Emerging Therapies | Keytruda (pembrolizumab) | US | Wave 2 | 2015

LaunchTrends: Keytruda (Wave 2) is the second in a series of syndicated reports designed to track the physician perception, uptake, and competitive environment of the malignant melanoma drug Keytruda (Merck & Co.’s pembrolizumab).

LaunchTrends: Keytruda measures the impact of this novel agent on the unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma therapy market following launch, based on a blend of quantitative and qualitative primary research with U.S. medical oncologists. The report evaluates physicians’ current awareness and perception of Keytruda relative to other currently available therapies for unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma, current and anticipated use of Keytruda, and promotional activity of Keytruda. Wave 2 also assesses surveyed medical oncologists’ perceptions of Opdivo (Bristol-Myers Squibb’s nivolumab) following its approval for the treatment of malignant melanoma in December 2014.

Questions Answered:

• What is the awareness of and familiarity with Keytruda among medical oncologists?
• What are the perceived clinical advantages and disadvantages of Keytruda compared with other marketed agents used for treating unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma?
• To what extent is Keytruda currently being used by surveyed medical oncologists? Where does Keytruda fit in the treatment algorithm? What reasons do nonprescribers give for not having prescribed Keytruda?
• What promotional messages are being employed by Merck & Co. for Keytruda?

Scope:

Markets covered: United States.

Primary research: 78 medical oncologists; qualitative interviews with 10 respondents.

Indication coverage: unresectable or metastatic malignant melanoma.