Samsung Bioepis announced today that it has initiated a global Phase I clinical trial for a biosimilar of Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the world's No. 1 selling drug.

The product, which is being developed under the name SB27, is the 11th biosimilar in Samsung Bioepis' pipeline.

Samsung Bioepis has recruited 135 volunteer patients with NSCLC in 4 countries, including South Korea, for the Phase I study, which will compare the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of SB27 to the original drug.

Keytruda is MSD's immuno-oncology drug. After confirming the drug’s effect in multiple solid tumors, MSD has been expanding its indication to various solid tumors, including mel