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.
The Merck Foundation has launched a new $17 million initiative called the Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care, running from 2025 to 2030. The program aims to improve access to high-quality cardiac care in underserved U.S. communities by transforming primary care delivery, building community partnerships, and addressing social barriers to healthcare. The initiative focuses on helping people with heart conditions who face challenges in accessing timely diagnoses and quality care. Qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply to join the Collaborative by submitting a letter of intent by January 10, 2025.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share for the first quarter of 2025. The dividend will be paid on January 8, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of December 16, 2024. The company, which operates as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, made this announcement following a decision by its Board of Directors.
Merck (MRK) announced positive Phase 3 trial results for subcutaneous pembrolizumab with berahyaluronidase alfa and chemotherapy in treating metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The trial met its dual primary pharmacokinetic endpoints, demonstrating noninferiority compared to intravenous KEYTRUDA with chemotherapy. The subcutaneous administration takes only 2-3 minutes, potentially improving patient experience and healthcare access. Secondary endpoints for efficacy and safety were generally consistent between both administration methods. The results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and shared with regulatory authorities worldwide.
Merck (MRK) received a positive CHMP opinion recommending approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable non-epithelioid malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The recommendation is based on the Phase 2/3 IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial results, where KEYTRUDA plus chemotherapy showed significant improvement in overall survival, reducing death risk by 21% compared to chemotherapy alone. The treatment demonstrated median overall survival of 17.3 months versus 16.1 months for chemotherapy alone, and improved overall response rate (52% vs 29%). A final EU decision is expected in Q4 2024.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced its participation in the upcoming Jefferies London Healthcare Conference. Joseph Romanelli, president of Human Health International, and Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology at Merck Research Laboratories, will engage in a fireside chat on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at 6:30 a.m. EST / 11:30 a.m. GMT. The event will be accessible to investors, analysts, media, and the public through a live audio webcast.
Merck (MRK) has entered into an exclusive global license agreement with LaNova Medicines for LM-299, a novel investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody. Merck will pay an upfront payment of $588 million and potential milestone payments of up to $2.7 billion for the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize LM-299 across multiple indications. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2024, subject to regulatory approvals. Merck will record a pre-tax charge related to the upfront payment in the quarter the transaction closes.
Merck (MRK) announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 KOMET trial of KOSELUGO in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas. The trial demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in objective response rate compared to placebo. KOSELUGO, an oral MEK inhibitor, showed a consistent safety profile with previous trials in children and adolescents, with no new safety signals identified. This rare genetic condition affects approximately 1.7 million people worldwide, with 70% being adults. Currently, there are no approved treatments for adults with NF1, making these results particularly significant for potential expanded use beyond pediatric patients.
Merck (MRK) announced new clinical and real-world data presentations for GARDASIL®9, their 9-valent HPV vaccine, at the International Papillomavirus Conference (IPVC) 2024 in Edinburgh. The presentations include results from the BROADEN and PROGRESS studies focusing on oral HPV infection prevalence and HPV-related cancers.
The data reinforces the importance of HPV vaccination for both males and females aged 9-45, highlighting that disease-causal HPV infection can occur later in life. Globally, approximately 666,000 new diagnoses of certain HPV-related cancers occur annually in men and women. The studies emphasize the growing incidence of HPV-related oropharyngeal and head and neck cancers, particularly in men.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced its participation in the upcoming UBS Global Healthcare Conference. The company will be represented by Jannie Oosthuizen, president of Human Health U.S., and Dr. Joerg Koglin, senior vice president and head of general medicine, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories. The fireside chat is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. EST / 9:30 a.m. PST. A live audio webcast will be available for investors, analysts, media, and the general public.
Merck reported strong Q3 2024 financial results with total worldwide sales of $16.7 billion, up 4% from Q3 2023. KEYTRUDA sales grew 17% to $7.4 billion, while new launch WINREVAIR achieved sales of $149 million. Animal Health sales increased 6% to $1.5 billion. GAAP EPS was $1.24 and Non-GAAP EPS was $1.57, both including a $0.79 per share net charge from business development transactions. The company narrowed its full-year 2024 outlook, expecting worldwide sales between $63.6-64.1 billion and Non-GAAP EPS between $7.72-7.77.
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