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Feb 23 (Reuters) - Merck MRK.N is splitting its human-health business into two divisions to offset pressures related to the loss of patent for its top-selling drug Keytruda, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

One division will house its cancer drugs, including Keytruda, while the other will sell its non-cancer products, the report said. Shares of the U.S. drugmaker were up 1.4% in premarket trading.

Keytruda, approved for several forms of cancers, recorded sales of more than $30 billion in 2025. The drug is set to lose certain patent protections in 2028, exposing it to intense competition from lower-cost copycats.

Merck has been pursuing several deals over the past year to fill up its pipeline and create new blockbuster growth drivers.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.