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 (NYSE: MRK) announced FDA approval for KEYTRUDA as a single agent for adjuvant treatment in adults with stage IB, II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical resection and platinum-based chemotherapy. This marks the fifth indication for KEYTRUDA in NSCLC and the 34th overall in the U.S. The approval stems from the KEYNOTE-091 trial, which showed a 27% reduction in disease recurrence or death compared to placebo, with a median disease-free survival of 58.7 months for the KEYTRUDA group versus 34.9 months for placebo. The treatment offers a new option for patients with stage IB disease, regardless of PD-L1 expression.
Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), has received FDA approval for the expanded use of BRAVECTO® Chews for Dogs, now treating and controlling infestations of the Asian longhorned tick. This is the first product in the U.S. addressing this invasive tick species, which poses health risks to pets and humans. The approval enhances BRAVECTO's comprehensive parasite protection portfolio, underscoring Merck's commitment to innovative veterinary solutions. With over 250 million doses distributed since 2014, BRAVECTO aims to offer pets prolonged protection against various parasites.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced the cessation of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-991 trial for KEYTRUDA, its anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with enzalutamide and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). This decision follows a recommendation from an independent Data Monitoring Committee after an interim analysis revealed no improvement in overall survival or radiographic progression-free survival compared to the control group. Although no new safety signals were identified, the combination treatment exhibited a higher rate of Grade 3-5 adverse events. Merck remains committed to developing new treatment options for prostate cancer.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced positive results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, demonstrating that KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, significantly improves overall survival for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The safety profile was consistent with earlier studies. With biliary tract cancer's poor prognosis, highlighted by only 5% to 15% five-year survival rates, these results offer hope for new treatment options. Merck plans to present results at a medical meeting and submit them to regulatory authorities while continuing to explore KEYTRUDA's use in various gastrointestinal cancers.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has declared a quarterly dividend of
Perceiv AI has been chosen for the inaugural cohort of the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS), receiving funding and mentorship from Merck (NYSE: MRK), Northpond Ventures, and McKesson Ventures. This selection, announced on January 17, 2023, is a significant milestone for Perceiv AI, highlighting their innovative prognostic platform that integrates multimodal data to address neurodegenerative diseases. The MDSS program aims to enhance drug discovery and development through collaborations and access to advanced technology. Perceiv AI plans to expand its ForesightTM platform to develop biomarkers for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has successfully completed its cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Imago BioSciences (NASDAQ: IMGO) at $36.00 per share. The offer expired on January 10, 2023, with 31,307,028 shares validly tendered, representing approximately 89.2% of Imago’s total outstanding shares. Following the acquisition, Imago will merge into Merck's subsidiary, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary, and its shares will be delisted from Nasdaq.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) will host its fourth-quarter and full-year 2022 earnings call on February 2 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Executives will review company performance and future outlook. The call will be accessible via a weblink and through phone lines at (888) 769-8514 in the U.S. and (517) 308-9208 internationally. A replay will also be available on Merck's website.
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