Keytruda, a groundbreaking cancer drug, was invented by a team of researchers from the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. [1][2]. The team was led by Dr. Roger Perlmutter, Merck's President of Medication Development, and included several key scientists who played instrumental roles in Keytruda's development [2].

Among them are Dr. James Allison and Dr. John Thompson, both of whom were awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy [1][2]. Dr. Allison, a researcher at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discovered the mechanism by which the CTLA-4 protein inhibits the immune system's response to cancer [2]. Dr. Thompson, a scientist at Merck, developed a monoclonal antibody that could block CTLA-4, thereby unleashing the immune system's ability to attack cancer cells [2].

Another key figure in Keytruda's development is Dr. Gregory Carven, who is credited with inventing the drug's formulation and manufacturing process [3]. Dr. Carven, who currently serves as Merck's Executive Director of Biologic Process Development, played a crucial role in scaling up the production of Keytruda to meet the needs of patients worldwide [3].

In summary, Keytruda was invented by a team of researchers from Merck & Co., led by Dr. Roger Perlmutter, and including Nobel laureates Dr. James Allison and Dr. John Thompson, as well as Dr. Gregory Carven [1][2][3].

Sources:
[1] <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/KEYTRUDA>
[2] <https://www.labiotech.eu/interview/interview-keytruda-cancer-inventors/>
[3] <https://www.ipoef.org/gregory-carven-inventor-keytruda/>