Advanced lung cancer: HSE approves reimbursement for Merck’s TEPMETKO® in Ireland

This targeted lung cancer treatment was previously approved in the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland  

Patients in Ireland with a specific type of lung cancer can now access Merck's TEPMETKO® (tepotinib) as a second-line treatment option, following its approval for reimbursement by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Tepotinib is the first treatment approved in Ireland specifically targeting advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene (MET) exon 14 (METex14) skipping alterations.

Previously, the oral MET inhibitor had been approved in the NHS across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Patients with advanced NSCLC with METex14 skipping alterations typically have poorer overall survival rates compared to other NSCLC patients.

According to Merck, tepotinib has shown consistent and durable antitumor activity in this group, as demonstrated in the VISION study, further cementing its role in clinical practice.

Roisin Molloy, Managing Director of Merck Healthcare in Ireland, said: “This is an important step forward for targeted treatments in Ireland and it is fantastic news that the HSE has reimbursed tepotinib.”

“There are a myriad of lung cancer types and we know that patients with METex14 skipping mutations suffer from poorer survival rates.

“Cancer treatments are thankfully evolving to personalise and target these specific variations. Every new reimbursement for a targeted treatment will be a game-changer for certain sets of patients who previously felt less hope than others with existing treatment options.”

Targeted treatments like tepotinib require genomic testing to identify eligible patients.

To support advanced genomic testing, the HSE launched the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland in 2022. This strategy aims to develop a genomics service that improves health outcomes, reduces care costs, and promotes scientific innovation and discovery.

Dr Stuart Hill, Medical Director of Merck Healthcare UK and Ireland, highlighted the importance of ensuring that patients presenting with lung cancer symptoms can easily access genomic testing to determine if tepotinib might benefit them.