"Merck KGaA's Evobrutinib Fails in Late-Stage Trials, Dealing Major Blow to MS Drug"

Merck KGaA's experimental multiple sclerosis drug, evobrutinib, has failed to meet its primary goal in late-stage trials, dealing a significant blow to the company's growth ambitions. The drug did not reduce the annualized relapse rate compared to Sanofi's Aubagio in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Merck was considered ahead of competitors such as Sanofi, Novartis, and Roche in developing more targeted MS drugs known as Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The failure of evobrutinib adds to Merck's recent setbacks, including the discontinuation of its cancer drug bintrafusp alfa and weak demand for specialty materials.