The European Commission has granted approval to US-based Merck for its anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in combination with pemetrexed (ALIMTA) and platinum chemotherapy intended for treating metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer, it was reported on Tuesday.

The product is the first anti-PD-1 therapy approved in combination with chemotherapy in Europe for first-line use in patients with this type of cancer. It is for use in adults whose tumours have no EGFR or ALK positive mutations.

This approval allows the company to market the Keytruda combination therapy across all 28 European Union member states and in Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway. The approved dosage strength is 200mg every three weeks.