Merck said on Monday its drug met the main goal of reducing a type of cholesterol in two late-stage studies.
Merck reports promising response rates for its ADC zilovertamab vedotin in relapsed DLBCL and KRAS inhibitor MK-1084 in solid tumors.
Merck's (NYSE:MRK) top-selling drug – Keytruda's – impressive recent growth tells a compelling story, but it's one with a predictable ending. The pharmaceutical giant's remarkable performance is largely attributed to the phenomenal success of Keytruda, its blockbuster oncology drug.
Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK ) Bernstein 41st Annual Strategic Decisions Conference May 29, 2025 3:30 PM ET Corporate Participants Rob Davis - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dean Li - Executive Vice President, President of Merck Research Labs Conference Call Participants Courtney Breen - Bernstein Courtney Breen All right. So, we might kick off our conversation with Merck today.
Merck (MRK) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. & RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking accelerated approval in the U.S. for Daiichi Sankyo (TSE: 4568) and Merck's (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) based on the HERTHENA-Lung01 phase 2 trial for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) previously treated with two or more systemic therapies has.
Despite a catastrophic drop in sales of the Gardasil franchise, mainly due to weak demand from China, Merck once again beat consensus EPS and revenue estimates. So, the key contributors whose performance pleasantly surprised me in Q1 2025, and thanks to which Merck's operating income margin remains above 40%, are Vaxneuvance, Winrevair, and Welireg. From its oncology franchise, I highlight Welireg as a 'gem,' whose sales amounted to $137 million in the first three months of 2025, an increase of 61.2% year-on-year.
Merck stock lags industry as Keytruda dependency, Gardasil woes in China, and tariff risks cloud outlook despite pipeline strength and new launches.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) stock has experienced a significant 22% decline this year, sharply underperforming the broader S&P 500 index, which is down only 1%. This downturn can be attributed to several factors: a lowered guidance for 2025 and growing concerns about the long-term growth prospects of its blockbuster drugs, Keytruda and Gardasil.
The market has largely priced in the 2028 Keytruda patent cliff, with Merck trading at a discount reflecting aggressive revenue erosion assumptions. Merck is actively expanding in oncology, immunology, and vaccines through acquisitions and R&D, offering long-term optionality beyond Keytruda. Gardasil's China-driven slump has limited downside left, with stable ex-China growth and male-use approval offering medium-term recovery potential.
Merck & Co. is undervalued, trading at lower multiples than peers, due to concerns over patent expirations and recent financial volatility. Despite modest overall revenue growth, oncology—especially Keytruda—drives strong segment performance, offsetting declines in virology and diabetes products. Management is aggressively investing in R&D and manufacturing expansion, with a robust drug pipeline and significant capital commitments to future growth.
The IDeate-Esophageal01 study is set to evaluate Merck & Daiichi's ADC drug ifinatamab deruxtecan in pre-treated patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.