A Pfizer Inc. drug showing promise against a rare form of skin cancer has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration fast-track status, which should speed its development, the company said Wednesday.

Avelumab, initially discovered and developed by the Germany drug company Merck which still has a stake in its marketing, is aimed at treating Merkel cell carcinoma. It earlier received orphan-drug status, indicating it is the best hope for treating this form of cancer.

“We look forward to working with our partners at Merck ... on the development of Avelumab in patients with relapsed and refractory Merkel cell carcinoma,” said Mace Rothenberg, senior vice president of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer Oncology, in a statement.

Fast-track designation is expected to quicken the review process related to the drug's current clinical development program looking at the safety and effectiveness of Avelumab in patients who have had at least one round of chemotherapy. Most of Pfizer's clinical development work is done out of its laboratories in Groton.

Avelumab has been tested in more than 1,000 patients, Pfizer said, and in patients with more than 15 different types of tumors. Some of these include breast, neck, head, gastric, ovarian and bladder cancer.

l.howard@theday.com

Twitter: @KingstonLeeHow