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Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa

Phase 3

Lung Cancer | Monoclonal antibody | Oncology |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Target and mechanism

Molecular targetPDCD1
Target classInhibitor
ModalityMonoclonal antibody

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedACTIVE_CONTROLLEDDMC
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment67

FDA Designations

PRIORITY_REVIEW

Clinical trial landscape

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa · 5 trials · 10 indications

Phase 3 1Phase 2 3Phase 1 1
NCT06698042A Clinical Study of Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase Alfa (MK-3475A) to Treat Newly-diagnosed Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475A-F84)Lung Cancer
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING67 Analytics
PHASE3ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
A Clinical Study of Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase Alfa (MK-3475A) to Treat Newly-diagnosed Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (MK-3475A-F84)
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Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Pembrolizumab Measured After the First Dose
At designated time points (up to approximately 14 months)

AUC is defined as area under curve exposure. Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine AUC.

Trough Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab Measured at Steady State
At designated time points (Up to ~15 months)

Ctrough is defined as the trough concentration at steady-state. Blood samples collected pre-dose and at multiple timepoints post-dose will be used to determine Ctrough

Objective Response Rate (ORR) per Lugano Classification Criteria as Assessed by Investigator
Up to approximately 48 months

ORR is defined as the percentage of the participants who had complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and will be evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. Response was assessed based on the International Working Group Criteria: Lugano Classification (Cheson et al, Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2014). CR is complete metabolic (no/minimal fluorodeoxyglucose \[FDG\] uptake) and radiologic response (target lesions regress to ≤1.5 cm in longest transverse diameter of a lesion) and no new lesions. PR is partial metabolic (moderate/high FDG uptake) and radiologic response (≥50% decrease in sum of product diameters for multiple lesions of up to 6 target measurable nodes and extranodal sites, no increase in lesions, and spleen regressed by \>50% in length beyond normal). The percentage of participants who experience CR or PR as assessed by investigator will be presented.

Maximum Concentration (Cmax) of Pembrolizumab After Administration of SC Pembrolizumab Coformulated with Hyaluronidase
At designated time points (up to ~6 weeks)

Blood samples will be collected at designated timepoints for the determination of Cmax. Cmax is defined as the peak concentration of pembrolizumab after administration of SC pembrolizumab coformulated with hyaluronidase.

Lowest Plasma Concentration (Ctrough) of Pembrolizumab After Administration of SC Pembrolizumab Coformulated with Hyaluronidase
At designated time points (up to ~6 weeks)

Blood samples will be collected at designated timepoints for the determination of Ctrough. Ctrough is defined as the lowest concentration of pembrolizumab after administration of SC pembrolizumab coformulated with hyaluronidase.

Area Under the Concentration-Time Curve of Pembrolizumab After Administration of SC Pembrolizumab Coformulated with Hyaluronidase from Week 0-Week 6 (AUC0-6weeks)
At designated time points (up to ~6 weeks)

Blood samples will be collected at designated timepoints for the determination of AUC0-6weeks. AUC0-6 weeks is defined as area under concentration time curve over a 6-week dosing interval of pembrolizumab after administration of SC pembrolizumab coformulated with hyaluronidase.

Percentage of Participants Who Prefer Pembrolizumab Plus Berahyaluronidase Alfa Subcutaneous (SC) As Assessed By Patient Preference Questionnaire (PPQ) Question 1
Day 106

The PPQ is an instrument that has been developed from participant interviews and includes questions to evaluate directly from participants their preference regarding mode of administration, as well as the strength of the preference, and the reason for the preference. The PPQ does not have any pre-defined scale or associated numerical scoring and answer choices are qualitative. Question 1 in the PPQ evaluates participants' preferred method of administration with response options of IV, SC or "no preference". As pre-specified by the protocol, the percentage of participants who preferred SC administration (participant preference rate \[PPR\]) was reported out of all randomized participants who received all 3 doses of Pembrolizumab IV and Pembrolizumab SC during treatment crossover period and answered at least question 1 of the PPQ on Cycle 6 Day 1 (Day 106).

Objective Response Rate (ORR)
Up to approximately 40 months

ORR is defined as the percentage of participants with Complete Response (CR: disappearance of all target lesions) or Partial Response (PR: at least a 30% decrease in the sum of diameters of target lesions) per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). The percentage of participants who experience CR or PR as assessed by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) will be presented.

Arms 1, 2, and 3: Pembrolizumab Trough Concentration (Ctrough) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) and postdose (0-10 minutes) on Cycle 1 Day 1; any time on Cycle 1 Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Cycle = 42 days

Ctrough is defined as the observed trough concentration measured during the absorption phase, prior to SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. Ctrough will be reported for Arms 1, 2, and 3.

Arms 1, 2, and 3: Pembrolizumab Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) and postdose (0-10 minutes) on Cycle 1 Day 1; any time on Cycle 1 Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Cycle = 42 days

Cmax is defined as the maximum plasma concentration measured during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. Cmax will be reported for Arms 1, 2, and 3.

Arms 1, 2, and 3: Pembrolizumab Time of Maximum Plasma Concentration (Tmax) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) and postdose (0-10 minutes) on Cycle 1 Day 1; any time on Cycle 1 Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Cycle = 42 days

Tmax is defined as the time to maximum plasma concentration measured during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. Tmax will be reported for Arms 1, 2, and 3.

Arms 1, 2, and 3: Pembrolizumab Area under the Curve (AUC) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) and postdose (0-10 minutes) on Cycle 1 Day 1; any time on Cycle 1 Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Cycle = 42 days

AUC is defined as the area under the curve measured during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. AUC will be reported for Arms 1, 2, and 3.

Arms 1 and 2: Pembrolizumab Bioavailability (F) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
At designated timepoints in Cycles 1 to 4 (up to 127 days). Cycle = 42 days

Bioavailability (F) is defined as the percentage (or the fraction F) of an administered SC dose that reaches the systemic circulation unaltered during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. F will be reported for Arms 1 and 2.

Arm 3 (Japan): Number of Participants Who Experience a Dose-Limiting Toxicity (DLT)
Up to 21 days of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 42 days)

DLT is defined as any of the following toxicities, if assessed by the investigator to be related to study treatment: Grade (Gr) 4 nonhematologic toxicity (not laboratory); Gr 4 hematologic toxicity lasting ≥7 days, except thrombocytopenia: Gr 4 thrombocytopenia of any duration; Gr 3 thrombocytopenia associated with clinically significant bleeding; thrombocytopenia requiring platelet transfusion; anemia requiring red blood cell transfusion; Nonhematologic AE Gr ≥3 in severity, with exceptions; Any Gr 3 or 4 nonhematologic laboratory abnormality if: clinically significant medical intervention is required, or if abnormality leads to hospitalization, persists for \>1 week or results in drug-induced liver injury with exceptions; Gr 3 or Gr 4 febrile neutropenia; Prolonged delay (\>2 weeks) during Cycle 1 Days 1 to 21 due to treatment-related toxicity; Treatment-related toxicity resulting in participant study treatment discontinuation during Cycle 1 Days 1 to 21; Gr 5 toxicity.

Arm 3 (Japan): Number of Participants with Adverse Events (AEs)
Up to approximately 120 weeks

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants with an AE will be reported for Arm 3.

Arm 3 (Japan): Number of Participants who Discontinue Study Treatment Due to an AE
Up to approximately 108 weeks

An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of study intervention, whether or not considered related to the study intervention. The number of participants who discontinue study treatment due to an AE will be reported for Arm 3.

Arm 3 (Japan): Number of Participants with Injection Site Signs and Symptoms as Assessed by the Subcutaneous Injection Site Signs and Symptoms Questionnaire
Day 1 of Cycle 1: Up to 60 minutes postdose. Cycle = 42 days

Approximately 60 minutes post injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 3, participants are to complete the Subcutaneous Injection Site Signs and Symptoms Questionnaire. Participants are asked to rate any pain, itching, swelling and redness they experience at the pembrolizumab SC injection site from "None" to "Severe". The number of participants who experience an injection site sign or symptom will be reported for Arm 3.

Arm 4: Pembrolizumab Trough Concentration (Ctrough) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 6; any time on Days 2, 4, 6, 10, and 15 of Cycles 1 and 6. Cycle = 21 days

Ctrough is defined as the observed trough concentration measured during the absorption phase, prior to SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. Ctrough will be reported for Arm 4.

Arm 4: Pembrolizumab Maximum Plasma Concentration (Cmax) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 6; any time on Days 2, 4, 6, 10, and 15 of Cycles 1 and 6. Cycle = 21 days

Cmax is defined as the maximum plasma concentration measured during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. Cmax will be reported for Arm 4.

Arm 4: Pembrolizumab Area under the Curve (AUC) After pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa Treatment
Predose (0-3 hours) on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 6; any time on Days 2, 4, 6, 10, and 15 of Cycles 1 and 6. Cycle = 21 days

AUC is defined as the area under the curve measured during the absorption phase, following SC injection of pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa. AUC will be reported for Arm 4.

Secondary Endpoints

Number of Participants Who Experience an AE- All Participants
Up to approximately 28 months
Number of Participants Who Discontinue Study Intervention Due to an AE
Up to approximately 25 months
Duration of Response (DOR) per Lugano Classification Criteria as Assessed by Investigator
Up to approximately 48 months
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfaEXPERIMENTALPembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfa SC will be administered for squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC as per the schedule specified in arm; participants may be eligible for second course.
PembrolizumabACTIVE_COMPARATOR"Pembrolizumab by IV Infusion will be administered for squamous and nonsquamous NSCLC as per the schedule specified in arm; participants may be eligible for second course,
Pembrolizumab Coformulated With HyaluronidaseEXPERIMENTALParticipants with rrCHL and rrPMBCL receive pembrolizumab coformulated with hyaluronidase subcutaneous (SC) injection on Day 1 of each 6-week cycle (Q6W) for up to 18 cycles (approximately 2 years) until documented disease progression per investigator assessment.
Arm A: Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfa SC →Pembrolizumab IVEXPERIMENTALIn the Treatment Crossover Period: participants will first receive pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa SC for three 21-day cycles, followed by pembrolizumab IV for three 21-day cycles. After completion of the Treatment Crossover Period, participants will enter the Treatment Continuation Period where they will receive their preferred intervention for up to 17 21-day cycles (up to \~1 year) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and melanoma, and for up to 35 21-day cycles (up to \~2 years) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Arm B: Pembrolizumab IV→pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa SCACTIVE_COMPARATORIn the Treatment Crossover Period: participants will first receive pembrolizumab IV for three 21-day cycles, followed by pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa SC for three 21-day cycles. After completion of the Treatment Crossover Period, participants will enter the Treatment Continuation Period where they will receive their preferred intervention for up to 17 21-day cycles (up to \~1 year) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and melanoma, and for up to 35 21-day cycles (up to \~2 years) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Pembrolizumab Conc1 [dose 1]/Berahyaluronidase alfaEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa (pembrolizumab Conc1 \[dose 1\] + berahyaluronidase alfa) SC on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 3 plus 400 mg pembrolizumab intravenously (IV) on Day 1 of Cycles 2 and 4 to 18, with or without background standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy as appropriate for the indication. A cycle is 42 days.
Pembrolizumab Conc2 [dose 1]/Berahyaluronidase alfaEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa (pembrolizumab Conc2 \[dose 1\] + Berahyaluronidase alfa) SC on Day 1 of Cycles 1 and 3 plus 400 mg pembrolizumab IV on Day 1 of Cycles 2 and 4 to 18, with or without background SOC chemotherapy as appropriate for the indication. A cycle is 42 days.
Pembrolizumab Conc1 [dose 1]/Berahyaluronidase alfa + SOC ChemotherapyEXPERIMENTALParticipants in Japan receive pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa (pembrolizumab Conc1 \[dose 1\] + berahyaluronidase alfa) SC on Day 1 of Cycle 1, with background SOC chemotherapy, and then receive 400 mg pembrolizumab IV on Day 1 of Cycles 2 to 18, with background SOC chemotherapy. A cycle is 42 days.
Pembrolizumab Conc1 [dose 2]/Berahyaluronidase alfaEXPERIMENTALParticipants receive pembrolizumab (+) berahyaluronidase alfa (pembrolizumab Conc1 \[dose 2\] + berahyaluronidase alfa) SC on Day 1 of Cycles 1 to 35 without background standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy. A cycle is 21 days.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfaBIOLOGICALAdministered subcutaneously on Day 1 of each cycle
PembrolizumabBIOLOGICALAdministered intravenously on Day 1 of each cycle
PemetrexedDRUGParticipants may receive 500 mg/m\^2 IV every 3 weeks (Q3W) Day 1 and Day 22 of Cycles 1 to 18 as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
CarboplatinDRUGParticipants may receive 5 mg/mL/min IV (nonsquamous) or 6 mg/mL/min IV (squamous) on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for 4 cycles as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
PaclitaxelDRUGParticipants may receive 200 mg/m\^2 IV on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for 4 cycles as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
Nab-paclitaxelDRUGParticipants may receive 100 mg/m2 IV on Day 1, 8, and 15 of each 21-day cycle for 4 cycles as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
AxitinibDRUGParticipants may receive 5 mg orally twice daily continuously as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
CisplatinDRUGParticipants may receive 75 mg/m\^2 IV on Day 1 of each 21-day cycle for 4 cycles as background SOC treatment during the study, as applicable to their diagnosis.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to N/A
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites67

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous or nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). * Measurable disease as assessed by the local site investigator/radiology. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of small cell lung cancer or, for mixed tumors, prese...

Countries:United StatesChinaGermanyGuatemalaJapanPeruPolandRomaniaSouth KoreaSpainTurkey (Türkiye)United KingdomAustraliaChileMexicoNew ZealandArgentinaFranceSouth AfricaHungary
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Competitive Landscape -Lung Cancer 281 trials

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Recent Changes (Last 90 Days)

LOWJul 21, 2026NCT06698042Completion: 2030-02-11 → 2027-04-17
MEDIUMJul 6, 2026NCT05017012TRIAL_REMOVED: changed
MEDIUMJul 6, 2026NCT05017012TRIAL_REMOVED: changed
MEDIUMJul 6, 2026NCT05017012TRIAL_REMOVED: changed

Frequently asked questions about Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa

What is Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa used for?

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is an investigational monoclonal antibody being studied for advanced or metastatic solid tumors, lung cancer, recurrent classical Hodgkin lymphoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma. It is a coformulation of pembrolizumab with berahyaluronidase alfa, developed by Merck & Company, Inc. (MRK).

What does Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa target?

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is a monoclonal antibody that targets the PD-1 pathway, as pembrolizumab is an anti-PD-1 antibody. The coformulation includes berahyaluronidase alfa, which may facilitate subcutaneous administration. The drug is being studied in multiple oncology indications.

Who makes Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa?

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is developed by Merck & Company, Inc., traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MRK. The company is conducting clinical trials to evaluate the drug in various cancer types.

What phase is Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa in?

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is in Phase 1 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not been approved by the FDA. It has received a Priority Review designation, but it remains under clinical investigation.

What clinical trials is Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa in?

Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is being studied in several trials, including NCT06041802 in Japanese participants with squamous cell carcinoma, NCT06099782 in non-small cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and melanoma, NCT06504394 in classical Hodgkin lymphoma, and NCT06698042 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Is Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa the same as Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfa?

Yes, Pembrolizumab Berahyaluronidase alfa is also known as Pembrolizumab (+) Berahyaluronidase alfa. Both names refer to the same investigational drug, a coformulation of pembrolizumab with berahyaluronidase alfa, developed by Merck & Company, Inc.