Merck & Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced FDA approval for KEYTRUDA as a single agent for adjuvant treatment in adults with stage IB, II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical resection and platinum-based chemotherapy. This marks the fifth indication for KEYTRUDA in NSCLC and the 34th overall in the U.S. The approval stems from the KEYNOTE-091 trial, which showed a 27% reduction in disease recurrence or death compared to placebo, with a median disease-free survival of 58.7 months for the KEYTRUDA group versus 34.9 months for placebo. The treatment offers a new option for patients with stage IB disease, regardless of PD-L1 expression.

Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), has received FDA approval for the expanded use of BRAVECTO® Chews for Dogs, now treating and controlling infestations of the Asian longhorned tick. This is the first product in the U.S. addressing this invasive tick species, which poses health risks to pets and humans. The approval enhances BRAVECTO's comprehensive parasite protection portfolio, underscoring Merck's commitment to innovative veterinary solutions. With over 250 million doses distributed since 2014, BRAVECTO aims to offer pets prolonged protection against various parasites.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) has announced the cessation of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-991 trial for KEYTRUDA, its anti-PD-1 therapy, in combination with enzalutamide and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). This decision follows a recommendation from an independent Data Monitoring Committee after an interim analysis revealed no improvement in overall survival or radiographic progression-free survival compared to the control group. Although no new safety signals were identified, the combination treatment exhibited a higher rate of Grade 3-5 adverse events. Merck remains committed to developing new treatment options for prostate cancer.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) announced positive results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 trial, demonstrating that KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, significantly improves overall survival for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer compared to chemotherapy alone. The safety profile was consistent with earlier studies. With biliary tract cancer's poor prognosis, highlighted by only 5% to 15% five-year survival rates, these results offer hope for new treatment options. Merck plans to present results at a medical meeting and submit them to regulatory authorities while continuing to explore KEYTRUDA's use in various gastrointestinal cancers.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.73 per share for Q2 2023. Shareholders of record will receive this payment on April 10, 2023, with the record date being March 15, 2023. Merck aims to leverage leading-edge science to improve lives worldwide, boasting over 130 years in the biopharmaceutical industry. The company emphasizes research and innovation in health solutions for both people and animals, while fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Perceiv AI has been chosen for the inaugural cohort of the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS), receiving funding and mentorship from Merck (NYSE: MRK), Northpond Ventures, and McKesson Ventures. This selection, announced on January 17, 2023, is a significant milestone for Perceiv AI, highlighting their innovative prognostic platform that integrates multimodal data to address neurodegenerative diseases. The MDSS program aims to enhance drug discovery and development through collaborations and access to advanced technology. Perceiv AI plans to expand its Foresight^TM platform to develop biomarkers for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

Merck (NYSE: MRK) has successfully completed its cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of Imago BioSciences (NASDAQ: IMGO) at $36.00 per share. The offer expired on January 10, 2023, with 31,307,028 shares validly tendered, representing approximately 89.2% of Imago’s total outstanding shares. Following the acquisition, Imago will merge into Merck's subsidiary, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary, and its shares will be delisted from Nasdaq.