Merck & Co., Inc. - MRK STOCK NEWS

Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced that Caroline Litchfield, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will participate in a virtual fireside chat at the 11th Annual SVB Leerink Global Healthcare Conference on February 17, 2022, at 4:20 p.m. EST. Interested parties, including investors and analysts, can listen to the live audio webcast here. Merck is committed to advancing healthcare and has over 130 years of experience in developing innovative medicines and vaccines.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced significant results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial demonstrated that the KEYTRUDA regimen, in combination with chemotherapy, significantly improved event-free survival in patients with high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. After a median follow-up of 39 months, patients on the KEYTRUDA regimen experienced a 37% reduction in risks for events or death. The overall safety profile remained consistent with known data, with no new safety concerns identified.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced the completion of manufacturing 10 million courses of molnupiravir, an oral antiviral COVID-19 treatment. Approximately 3.1 million courses have already been supplied to the U.S. government. Merck aims to produce at least 20 million courses in 2022, facilitating widespread access. The company has established agreements in over 30 markets globally, focusing on equitable distribution and tiered pricing to support low- and middle-income countries. The FDA has authorized molnupiravir for emergency use in high-risk COVID-19 patients.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced that Dr. Dean Li, executive vice president and president of Merck Research Laboratories, will participate in a virtual fireside chat at the Guggenheim Oncology Conference on February 9, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. EST. Investors and the media can access a live audio webcast of the presentation at Merck's investor relations website. Merck, also known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada, has a long history of advancing healthcare through innovative medicines and vaccines.

Merck (MRK) reported strong financial results for Q4 and the full year of 2021, with Q4 sales reaching $13.5 billion, a 24% increase from 2020. Key drivers included $952 million in sales from molnupiravir and significant growth in KEYTRUDA and GARDASIL. GAAP EPS for Q4 was $1.51, while non-GAAP EPS was $1.80. For the full year, total sales were $48.7 billion, up 17%, with GAAP EPS at $4.86. Merck anticipates 2022 sales between $56.1 billion and $57.6 billion and expects GAAP EPS of $5.76 to $5.91, including molnupiravir sales of $5-6 billion.

Organon (NYSE: OGN), a global women's health company, is designating International Women’s Day on March 8 as a day for employees to focus on their health. The initiative highlights growing health disparities faced by women, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organon is urging employers in the UK to provide similar support. Acknowledging that 78% of women neglect their health for others, the company encourages its almost 9,500 employees to utilize this time off to prioritize their well-being, a step towards raising awareness on women's health inequities.

Organon (NYSE: OGN) highlights the disparities in women’s health exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, urging global leaders to prioritize women’s health. On March 8, International Women’s Day, Organon will give its employees paid time off to focus on their health. The firm stresses that women often neglect their health needs, with 78% prioritizing family over personal healthcare. CEO Kevin Ali emphasizes the importance of women's health for a resilient society. Organon aims to improve awareness and invites others to join in supporting women's health initiatives.

Organon (NYSE: OGN) will announce its fourth quarter and full year 2021 financial results on February 17, 2022, prior to a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST. Investors can access the live call via webcast on the Organon website, with a replay available shortly after. Institutional investors must register in advance using conference ID# 2682555 to participate. Organon, a spin-off from Merck (NYSE: MRK), focuses on women's health, offering over 60 products and aiming to collaborate with biopharmaceutical innovators in growing markets.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced positive data from six preclinical studies showing that molnupiravir, an experimental oral antiviral drug, effectively targets the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. These findings bolster confidence in molnupiravir as a treatment for high-risk adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. The drug has been authorized for use in over 10 countries, including the U.S. and U.K. Merck is committed to ensuring global access to molnupiravir, having produced millions of treatment doses and entered into numerous supply agreements.