07:55 AM EST, 12/03/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Merck ( MRK ) said Tuesday the US Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough therapy designation to sacituzumab tirumotecan, a treatment for certain times of non-small cell lung cancer.

The designation is based on data from the phase 2 expansion group of a phase 1/2 study, as well as data from two parts of a phase 2 study evaluating the treatment in patients who have received at least two lines of previous therapy, Merck ( MRK ) said.

Sacituzumab tirumotecan is being developed in partnership with Kelun-Biotech, Merck ( MRK ) said.

Merck ( MRK ) shares were 0.4% higher in premarket trading.