Keytruda tops Opdivo in 1Q15 sales

Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) reported $83 million in 1Q15 sales of melanoma immunotherapy Keytruda pembrolizumab, more than double the quarterly sales of rival PD-1 inhibitor Opdivo nivolumab from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY). However, Opdivo's recent approval for lung cancer could soon close the gap.

BMS reported $40 million in Opdivo sales during 1Q15, the drug's first full quarter on the market. 1Q15 was Keytruda's second full quarter on the market. Both drugs were first approved to treat advanced melanoma in patients previously treated with BMS's Yervoy ipilimumab. ...