To address the upcoming patent expiration challenge for its cancer drug Keytruda, Merck & Co. has announced a spin-off and restructuring of its pharmaceutical business unit.

This strategic adjustment aims to optimize the organizational structure and concentrate resources to accelerate the launch of new product pipelines, thereby maintaining the company's competitiveness after the exclusivity period of its core products ends. Analysis points out that with Keytruda as Merck's flagship product, the approaching patent cliff compels the company to plan ahead and inject new momentum for subsequent growth through business restructuring.