Welcome to our dedicated page for Merck & Co. news (Ticker: MRK), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Merck & Co. stock.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is a renowned American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Originally the American arm of Germany's Merck Group founded in 1668, Merck has established itself as a global leader in pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
Merck's core business is the development and manufacturing of medications and vaccines spanning several therapeutic areas such as cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, and infections. The company's immuno-oncology platform, particularly strong in cancer treatment, is a significant revenue driver. The firm’s oncology portfolio includes groundbreaking immunotherapies like KEYTRUDA, designed to treat melanoma and other cancers. KEYTRUDA, in combination with other therapies, has shown promising results in reducing cancer recurrence and improving survival rates.
Merck also boasts a robust vaccine business, offering vaccines for pediatric diseases and human papillomavirus (HPV). Their commitment to public health extends to Merck for Mothers, an initiative aimed at improving maternal health globally. In 2024, Merck surpassed its goal early by reaching over 30 million women with programs promoting safe, high-quality maternal care.
The company's animal health division is another sector of its diverse operations, providing solutions to improve animal health and productivity.
From a geographical perspective, nearly half of Merck's sales are generated in the United States. Financially, Merck maintains a solid position with ongoing investments in research and development to fuel innovation. The company is actively engaged in numerous partnerships and collaborative research initiatives to accelerate the development of new therapies.
Merck’s mission is rooted in scientific excellence and an unwavering commitment to improving lives. The company continues to invest in leading-edge research, with over 2,250 ongoing clinical trials, including more than 1,600 trials evaluating combination regimens. This dedication underpins Merck's strategy to address complex health challenges and advance global health.
Merck has significantly increased the representation of women in its Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) team over the past seven years, nearly doubling the number of female scientists. This growth stems from deliberate efforts to foster diversity and inclusion, seen as key drivers of creativity and innovation.
Key initiatives include women leaders actively recruiting talent, enhancing relationships with academic institutions, and offering career growth opportunities. Notable female scientists at Merck, such as Marguerite Mohan, Niki Patel, and Cindy Hong, have found success and recognition in their roles, contributing to Merck’s reputation as a scientific leader.
Merck's commitment is further highlighted by the 92% success rate in winning external awards for its female scientists. The company continues to focus on diversity, aiming to create a more inclusive environment that supports and retains women in science.
Merck scientists are advancing cancer research by improving anti-tumor immune responses, targeting specific cancer cells, and inhibiting cancer growth. The company is focusing on treating cancers at earlier stages to enhance survival rates, with a robust pipeline addressing over 20 novel mechanisms. Innovations include individualized neoantigen therapies and targeted antibody-drug conjugates. Merck's research includes more than 2,250 ongoing clinical trials, with 1,600 evaluating combination regimens. The goal is to discover new ways to combat cancer and optimize existing treatments.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, announced that its CEO Robert M. Davis and EVP Dr. Dean Y. Li will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs 45th Annual Global Healthcare Conference. The event is set for Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. A live audio webcast will be available for investors, analysts, media, and the general public.
Moderna and Merck have reported three-year data from their Phase 2b study showing that the combination of mRNA-4157 (V940) and KEYTRUDA significantly improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma. The combination therapy reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% and distant metastasis or death by 62% compared to KEYTRUDA alone. The 2.5-year RFS rate for the combination was 74.8% versus 55.6% for KEYTRUDA alone.
The companies have started Phase 3 trials for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, and Phase 2 trials for renal and urothelial carcinomas, and a Phase 2/3 trial for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Safety profiles were consistent with previous findings, showing mostly mild to moderate side effects.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced that the FDA has accepted their supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for priority review. The application seeks approval for the use of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
The acceptance is based on data from the Phase 2/3 IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial, which showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) when compared to chemotherapy alone. The target action date set by the FDA is September 25, 2024. In the trial, KEYTRUDA combined with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 21%, with a median OS of 17.3 months versus 16.1 months for chemotherapy alone. Additionally, the combination treatment showed improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR).
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced its acquisition of EyeBio for an upfront payment of $1.3 billion and up to $1.7 billion in milestone payments, bringing the total potential value to $3 billion. EyeBio's lead candidate, Restoret™, is a late-phase treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD). Restoret is expected to enter pivotal studies in the second half of 2024. The acquisition expands Merck's presence in ophthalmology and aims to leverage EyeBio's expertise in retinal diseases. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is anticipated to close in Q3 2024, and Merck expects to record a charge of $1.3 billion upon closing.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), referred to as MSD outside of the US and Canada, has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share for the third quarter of 2024. The dividend will be paid on July 8, 2024, to shareholders who are registered by the close of business on June 17, 2024.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced that its Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial met its overall survival (OS) endpoint for patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). The regimen, combining pre-operative chemotherapy with subsequent monotherapy, showed a statistically significant improvement in OS. The safety profile was consistent with previous studies, with no new safety signals. KEYTRUDA is now the first immunotherapy-based treatment to provide a survival benefit over chemotherapy alone in this patient group. These results, building on previous positive outcomes, will be presented at a medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) will present new data on its oncology treatments at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting from May 31-June 4. Highlights include Phase 3 results for sacituzumab tirumotecan in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer and three-year follow-up data for mRNA-4157 (V940) combined with KEYTRUDA in high-risk melanoma patients. Other key data involve updated findings for KEYTRUDA in various cancers, including advanced gastrointestinal cancers and metastatic bladder cancer. Merck's diverse oncology pipeline will also be showcased, featuring investigational treatments such as vibostolimab/pembrolizumab and sacituzumab tirumotecan. The company will hold an Oncology Investor Event on June 3, 2024, to discuss these developments.
Merck (MRK) announced the discontinuation of the vibostolimab and pembrolizumab coformulation arm of the Phase 3 KeyVibe-010 trial for adjuvant treatment of resected high-risk melanoma due to primary endpoint not met. Patients in the coformulation arm had higher discontinuation rates mainly due to immune-mediated adverse experiences. The study is being unblinded, and patients are recommended to switch to KEYTRUDA monotherapy. Merck remains committed to developing new melanoma treatments and is exploring other combinations. Vibostolimab is an investigational anti-TIGIT antibody under evaluation.
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