US Senators Warren, Sanders Urge 'Close Scrutiny' On Merck's Keytruda-Related Patents

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Kathi Vidal, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), requesting a check on Merck & Co Inc's MRK Keytruda.
The letter urged to "give close scrutiny to any of Merck's requests for new patents for Keytruda and reject those that do not clearly meet the agency's standards."
Keytruda is Merck's flagship cancer product, which reported $20.9 billion in revenue in 2022, +22% Y/Y.
Key patents on Keytruda will begin to expire in 2028, Reuters reported.
"It is not at all clear that Merck is doing anything other than extending its monopoly power over the drug," Warren wrote in the letter.
Senator Bernie Sanders, as well as Representatives Katie Porter and Pramila Jayapal, also signed the letter.
Also Read: European Authority Recommends Against Approval For Merck-Ridgeback Biotherapeutics' COVID-19 Pill.
The letter mentioned, "one particular concern is Merck's attempt "to patent a new formulation of … Keytruda that can be injected under the skin...If approved, Merck's patent application for its subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda could shield the drug from competition for many years."
They wrote that Merck's use of dozens of patents to fend off Keytruda competitors "appear(s) to be an example of the anti-competitive business practices ... that we have long been.
Price Action: MRK shares are down 1.07% at $109.41 on the last check Friday.