Dutch court blocks Merck's subcutaneous Keytruda in several European markets

A Dutch court has ruled that Merck infringed a patent covering a subcutaneous formulation of its cancer drug Keytruda. The decision requires the company to stop manufacturing and marketing that version in France, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The injunction is part of a broader patent dispute with Halozyme Therapeutics over the new formulation. The existing intravenous version of Keytruda is not subject to the ruling, so patients can continue to receive that treatment.

Merck has not yet commented on the order. The ruling could affect the rollout of the subcutaneous product in Europe and may have financial implications for the company as it seeks to expand the drug’s delivery options.