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 reported data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-598 study, evaluating the combination of KEYTRUDA and ipilimumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results showed no improvement in overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) with the combination, and the addition of ipilimumab increased toxicity. The median OS was 21.4 months for the combination versus 21.9 months for monotherapy, while median PFS was 8.2 versus 8.4 months, respectively. The study was discontinued due to futility as per the Data Monitoring Committee's recommendation.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has expanded its Safer Childbirth Cities initiative, offering funding for nine new city-based projects aimed at improving maternal health outcomes and addressing racial disparities. Launched in 2018, this initiative is part of Merck for Mothers, a $500 million global program. The selected projects will address health needs affected by COVID-19 and aim to increase maternal health equity through community-led solutions and support for women before, during, and after childbirth. The initiative responds to rising maternal mortality rates in the U.S., especially among Black and marginalized women.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share for Q2 2021, payable on April 7, 2021, to shareholders of record by the close of business on March 15, 2021.
With a legacy of 130 years, Merck continues to innovate in biopharmaceuticals, addressing critical diseases like cancer and HIV, while enhancing healthcare access globally.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced interim data from its Phase 2a trial evaluating islatravir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in adults. The trial showed that both 60 mg and 120 mg once-monthly doses of islatravir met the pre-specified pharmacokinetics (PK) threshold for efficacy. Tolerability was acceptable, with mild to moderate adverse events reported. The ongoing study plans to transition to Phase 3 IMPOWER trials, aiming to broaden HIV prevention options for at-risk populations. As of now, 76.8% of participants have been dosed, suggesting a robust path forward for islatravir.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA as a first-line monotherapy for adult patients with metastatic microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer. This decision is based on the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-177 trial, which demonstrated a 40% reduction in disease progression risk compared to chemotherapy (HR=0.60) and a median progression-free survival of 16.5 months, more than double that of chemotherapy. KEYTRUDA showed a lower incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events (22% vs. 66%).
Merck (NYSE: MRK) is halting the development of its COVID-19 vaccine candidates, V590 and V591, after finding that their immune response was less effective than those of other vaccines. Instead, Merck will focus on advancing therapeutic candidates MK-4482 and MK-7110, which aim to treat COVID-19. The company plans to record a charge in Q4 2020 due to this decision, affecting GAAP results. Meanwhile, MK-7110 has shown promising Phase 3 results, while MK-4482 is undergoing Phase 2/3 trials. Merck remains committed to ongoing SARS-CoV-2 research and enhancing pandemic-response capabilities.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) has received FDA approval for VERQUVO (vericiguat), a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, aimed at reducing cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization for adults post-heart failure hospitalization or IV diuretics. This is the first treatment specifically approved for this patient group, based on VICTORIA trial data involving 5,050 patients. VERQUVO demonstrated a 4.2% reduction in annualized absolute risk compared to placebo. The drug comes with a boxed warning against use in pregnant women due to potential fetal harm.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced the FDA's acceptance of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for V114, a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine aimed at preventing invasive pneumococcal disease in adults. The FDA has set a target action date of July 18, 2021, for this priority review. V114 offers protection against serotypes 22F and 33F, which are not covered by existing vaccines. This application is supported by robust clinical studies, including Phase 2 and Phase 3, demonstrating its efficacy in diverse adult populations.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) will host its fourth-quarter and full-year 2020 sales and earnings conference call on Feb. 4 at 8:00 a.m. EST. Executives will discuss the company's performance during the quarter. Investors and the general public can access a live audio webcast via Merck's website. A replay, along with financial disclosures, will also be available online. Merck has a long-standing commitment to advancing healthcare, focusing on innovative medicines and vaccines for critical diseases.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) will participate in the 39th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 11, 2021, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Key executives, including Kenneth C. Frazier, Robert Davis, and Dr. Dean Li, will present during the event. A live video webcast will be available for investors, analysts, and the public at this link. Merck has a long-standing commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative medicines and vaccines, focusing on critical diseases like cancer and infectious diseases.