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 has partnered with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), the largest historically Black college and university in the U.S., to launch the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center. The 4,025 square-foot facility, located near Merck's Durham and Wilson manufacturing sites, will enhance academic programming and training for biotechnology careers. This collaboration aims to diversify talent, expand local bioeconomy initiatives, and provide advanced discovery opportunities. It also includes training in vaccine manufacturing processes for new and existing employees.
The U.S. FDA has approved Merck's CAPVAXIVE™ (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine) for preventing invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in adults 18 and older. CAPVAXIVE covers 84% of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) serotypes in adults 50+ and 85% in adults 65+. The approval is backed by robust Phase 3 trials demonstrating strong immune responses in both vaccine-naïve and experienced adults. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to meet and discuss recommendations for CAPVAXIVE's use in adults. This approval, under the FDA's Priority Review, aims to address serotypes not covered by other vaccines. Continued approval may require verification of clinical benefits in a confirmatory trial.
The FDA has approved Merck's (NYSE: MRK) KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for treating adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma, regardless of mismatch repair status. This marks the third FDA-approved indication for KEYTRUDA in endometrial carcinoma and its 40th overall in the U.S.
The approval is based on results from the Phase 3 NRG-GY018 trial, which showed significant reductions in disease progression or death by 40% for mismatch repair proficient cancers and 70% for deficient cancers.
However, KEYTRUDA may cause severe or fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions and should be discontinued as necessary. The median progression-free survival for patients with mismatch repair proficient cancers was 11.1 months compared to 8.5 months for the placebo group, while the median was not reached for deficient cancers (30.7 months vs 6.5 months).
Merck has significantly increased the representation of women in its Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) team over the past seven years, nearly doubling the number of female scientists. This growth stems from deliberate efforts to foster diversity and inclusion, seen as key drivers of creativity and innovation.
Key initiatives include women leaders actively recruiting talent, enhancing relationships with academic institutions, and offering career growth opportunities. Notable female scientists at Merck, such as Marguerite Mohan, Niki Patel, and Cindy Hong, have found success and recognition in their roles, contributing to Merck’s reputation as a scientific leader.
Merck's commitment is further highlighted by the 92% success rate in winning external awards for its female scientists. The company continues to focus on diversity, aiming to create a more inclusive environment that supports and retains women in science.
Merck scientists are advancing cancer research by improving anti-tumor immune responses, targeting specific cancer cells, and inhibiting cancer growth. The company is focusing on treating cancers at earlier stages to enhance survival rates, with a robust pipeline addressing over 20 novel mechanisms. Innovations include individualized neoantigen therapies and targeted antibody-drug conjugates. Merck's research includes more than 2,250 ongoing clinical trials, with 1,600 evaluating combination regimens. The goal is to discover new ways to combat cancer and optimize existing treatments.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, announced that its CEO Robert M. Davis and EVP Dr. Dean Y. Li will participate in a fireside chat at the Goldman Sachs 45th Annual Global Healthcare Conference. The event is set for Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. A live audio webcast will be available for investors, analysts, media, and the general public.
Moderna and Merck have reported three-year data from their Phase 2b study showing that the combination of mRNA-4157 (V940) and KEYTRUDA significantly improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with high-risk stage III/IV melanoma. The combination therapy reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 49% and distant metastasis or death by 62% compared to KEYTRUDA alone. The 2.5-year RFS rate for the combination was 74.8% versus 55.6% for KEYTRUDA alone.
The companies have started Phase 3 trials for melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, and Phase 2 trials for renal and urothelial carcinomas, and a Phase 2/3 trial for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Safety profiles were consistent with previous findings, showing mostly mild to moderate side effects.
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced that the FDA has accepted their supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for priority review. The application seeks approval for the use of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).
The acceptance is based on data from the Phase 2/3 IND.227/KEYNOTE-483 trial, which showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) when compared to chemotherapy alone. The target action date set by the FDA is September 25, 2024. In the trial, KEYTRUDA combined with chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 21%, with a median OS of 17.3 months versus 16.1 months for chemotherapy alone. Additionally, the combination treatment showed improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR).
Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced its acquisition of EyeBio for an upfront payment of $1.3 billion and up to $1.7 billion in milestone payments, bringing the total potential value to $3 billion. EyeBio's lead candidate, Restoret™, is a late-phase treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD). Restoret is expected to enter pivotal studies in the second half of 2024. The acquisition expands Merck's presence in ophthalmology and aims to leverage EyeBio's expertise in retinal diseases. The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is anticipated to close in Q3 2024, and Merck expects to record a charge of $1.3 billion upon closing.
Merck (NYSE: MRK), referred to as MSD outside of the US and Canada, has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.77 per share for the third quarter of 2024. The dividend will be paid on July 8, 2024, to shareholders who are registered by the close of business on June 17, 2024.
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