Keytruda in a Flash: Merck’s 2-Minute Cancer Shot

A Merck-Alteogen breakthrough could slash cancer treatment time to two minutes

11 Apr 2025

Cancer care may be about to get a serious time upgrade. Merck, teaming up with South Korea’s Alteogen, plans to roll out a new under-the-skin version of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda that takes just two minutes to administer. If the FDA signs off, the injection could hit the US market by October 1, 2025.

Right now, Keytruda is typically delivered via a 30-minute IV drip. The new formulation promises to shave that down to a quick jab in the arm, offering the same clinical punch with far less hassle.

The secret? Alteogen’s proprietary enzyme tech, which lets large-molecule drugs slip efficiently through tissue when injected. That innovation, combined with Merck’s oncology muscle, could make a lasting impact on how cancer treatment is delivered.

“This isn’t just a better drug experience. It’s a smarter system,” said one healthcare analyst.

For clinics, the benefits are obvious: faster turnover, lighter staffing demands, and more flexibility. Some experts even envision patients getting these injections at home down the line. For those undergoing treatment, it means less time tethered to a hospital chair and more control over their schedule.

The FDA is currently reviewing trial data showing the injection is just as safe and effective as the traditional IV route. If approved, it could set off a broader trend in pharma by rethinking old drugs with modern delivery methods.

There’s also competitive heat. Merck’s move nudges rivals to reconsider how they bring therapies to market. In an industry where time, cost, and patient comfort are all on the line, faster does not just mean better. It might mean first.

“This is biotech’s next chapter,” said one strategist. “Partnerships like this are rewriting the playbook.”

Whether or not this shift becomes the new normal, Merck and Alteogen’s alliance is already proving that when companies think outside the syringe, patients stand to gain.