Merck & Co, Astra drug improves survival in prostate cancer sufferers

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Merck & Co Inc on Tuesday said its Lynparza drug, developed alongside AstraZeneca PLC, improved survival rates for some sufferers of prostate cancer.

Results from a phase three probe showed Lynparza, in tandem with abiraterone plus prednisone ‘significantly’ improved progression-free survival, compared to users of just abiraterone plus prednisone.

The latter treatment is the standard of care for sufferers of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Metastatic cancer is a form of the disease which spreads to distant parts of the body. Castration-resistant prostate cancer is a form of the disease which continues to spread even when the level of testosterone in the body is reduced.

Merck & Co shares ended 4.1% higher at $88.03 each in New York on Tuesday. Astra shares rose 0.8% to 10,130.00p.

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