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 the FDA's acceptance and priority review for a New Drug Application (NDA) for belzutifan, a HIF-2α inhibitor, targeting renal cell carcinoma (RCC) linked to von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. The NDA is based on a Phase 2 Study-004 showing a 36.1% response rate among patients. The PDUFA date is set for September 15, 2021. Belzutifan has potential applications in advanced RCC and other tumors, enhancing Merck’s oncology pipeline.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced a virtual investor event focused on its extensive HIV program and a recent collaboration with Gilead Sciences. Investors, analysts, and the public can participate via a live audio webcast. Merck has a long-standing commitment to HIV research, aiming to address unmet medical needs and collaborate with global partners to combat the epidemic. The company emphasizes its mission to enhance healthcare access and improve lives through innovative medicines and vaccines.
Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Merck (MRK) have entered a collaboration to co-develop long-acting HIV treatments using Gilead's capsid inhibitor, lenacapavir, and Merck's nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor, islatravir. Both compounds are in late-stage clinical trials. The agreement involves equal sharing of global product revenues after certain sales thresholds, with Gilead leading U.S. marketing for oral formulations and Merck for injectables. This partnership aims to address the need for innovative, less frequent dosing options for HIV patients.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced promising results from a Phase 1 study of its investigational islatravir subdermal implant for HIV-1 pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The study, presented at CROI 2021, showed active drug levels exceeding the necessary PK threshold at 12 weeks across all studied doses (48 mg, 52 mg, and 56 mg), with the 56 mg dose projected to provide effective drug levels for up to a year. Merck plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial to further assess this long-acting option for HIV prevention.
Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced preliminary results from a Phase 2a trial evaluating molnupiravir for SARS-CoV-2 treatment. The study showed a significant reduction in days to negativity of infectious virus in participants receiving molnupiravir compared to placebo (0% vs. 24%). This multi-center trial enrolled 202 adults, and no safety signals were identified. The primary results remain blinded. Further studies are underway, with updates planned in the future. Molnupiravir is an investigational oral antiviral showing promise against various RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has initiated a cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAND), offering $60 per share. This acquisition aims to enhance Merck's portfolio and is expected to close in the first half of 2021, subject to specific conditions. Stockholders are encouraged to accept the offer, detailed in the tender offer statement filed with the SEC. Merck’s acquisition signifies a strategic expansion and potential revenue growth as it continues focusing on innovative therapeutics.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced that Michael T. Nally, chief marketing officer, will speak at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference on March 9, 2021, at 1:50 p.m. EST. Investors, analysts, and the public are invited to watch the live video webcast through Merck's investor events page.
Merck, dedicated to advancing health through medicines and vaccines, continues to focus on combating serious diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases. For more details, visit www.merck.com.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced significant presentations from its HIV clinical development at CROI 2021, running virtually from March 6-10, 2021. The highlights include late-breaking Phase 1 results for islatravir, aimed at HIV treatment and prevention. Key findings discuss a new subdermal drug-eluting implant for extended islatravir administration, pharmacokinetic data for monthly oral islatravir, and updates on the DELSTRIGO regimen for adolescents. Merck emphasizes its commitment to advancing innovative strategies in HIV care.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) announced multiple agreements to boost manufacturing capacity for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 vaccines and medicines, receiving up to $268.8 million in funding from BARDA. This funding will support adapting existing facilities for vaccine and medicine production. Additionally, Merck will collaborate with Janssen Pharmaceuticals to produce components of its COVID-19 vaccine. Merck plans substantial capital investments exceeding $20 billion through 2024 to enhance its global vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced the fifth round of grants in its Merck for Mothers Global Grants program, aimed at reducing maternal mortality in critical regions. Launched in 2011, this initiative has supported over 60 projects globally, benefiting 3.5 million women and training 60,000 healthcare workers. The current grantees will implement high-impact activities across Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, promoting health equity and improving maternal health services.
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