A number of anti-TIGIT drugs are jockeying for position to provide benefit as monotherapies and in combinations for non-small cell lung cancer and Merck's offering is looking to challenge Roche's tiragolumab for the lead.

Acquisition is based on the prospects for Immunomedics’ Trodelvy, but regulatory changes, manufacturing challenges, and research dynamics could upset even the best-laid plans.

The company paid twice Immunomedics’ last closing stock price to access Trodelvy, approved for triple-negative breast cancer with potential in other solid tumors as monotherapy and in combinations.

As it prepares to report second quarter earnings that may show coronavirus-related impacts, the company’s antiviral for COVID-19 may boost 2020 revenue and offset need for new products.