Merck KGaA falls as CHMP rebuffs cladribine

Merck KGaA (Xetra:MRK) fell EUR 7.18 (10%) to EUR 63 after CHMP recommended against approval of cladribine tablets to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The committee, which is part of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), expressed concern about an increased number of cancer cases in patients treated with the product, which the committee said may indicate an increased risk of cancer over time and with increasing doses. CHMP also noted that the benefits and the most appropriate dosage of cladribine were not fully established. ...