All articles tagged with #merck
Regeneron disclosed a late-stage trial evaluating a Libtayo-based combination for melanoma failed to meet its endpoints when compared with Merck’s Keytruda, sparking investor scrutiny of Regeneron’s cancer-immunotherapy program.
FDA approved IDVYNSO, a once-daily two-drug regimen (doravirine/islatravir) for adults with virologically suppressed HIV-1, intended to replace their current antiretroviral therapy. It is the first non-INSTI, tenofovir-free two-drug therapy to demonstrate non-inferiority to a three-drug regimen in two Phase 3 trials (052 vs BIKTARVY and 051 vs baseline ART). The product will be available in pharmacies after May 11 and carries contraindications with strong CYP3A inducers and with lamivudine or emtricitabine, plus safety considerations including potential severe skin reactions and drug interactions. Trials enrolled 708 participants with diverse demographics, supporting another option in HIV treatment.
Merck reported first clinical data from its PD-1xVEGF bispecific MK-2010 in a Chinese phase 1/2 NSCLC trial, showing unconfirmed ORRs of 55% in treatment-naïve PD-L1-positive patients at 20 mg/kg every three weeks and 44% at 30 mg/kg, with lower responses in previously treated patients. Across backfill cohorts (n=72) the safety profile included dose-limiting toxicities like grade 3 proteinuria and hemoptysis, several bleeding events, and deaths in higher-dose arms, though the maximum tolerated dose has not been reached. Results are early, from small cohorts, and Merck has not disclosed phase 3 plans, as rivals advance multiple PD-(L)1xVEGF programs; more data are needed to define MK-2010's potential role.
An ICIJ investigation shows Merck’s Keytruda has become one of the world’s best-selling drugs not just because of therapeutic value but due to an expansive patent portfolio (more than 1,200 filings in 53 countries), lobbying, and pricing tactics that raise costs for patients worldwide while governments and insurers struggle to fund access; the report details price disparities, secrecy, accelerated approvals, and strategic moves like drug-dosing and product hopping that help Merck extend monopoly into the 2030s, with patients in India, Guatemala, the U.S. and elsewhere paying vast out-of-pocket or facing restricted access.
Merck will acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for about $6.7 billion in cash ($53 per share), expanding its cancer pipeline ahead of Keytruda’s 2028 patent expiry. Analysts see Terns’ leukemia drug candidate as a multibillion-dollar opportunity that could rival Scemblix, with the deal expected to close in the second quarter.
Merck will acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for about $6.7 billion in cash, expanding its hematology portfolio with TERN-701, an oral allosteric BCR-ABL1 inhibitor in Phase 1/2 for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The transaction, approved by both boards, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 and will be accounted as an asset acquisition with an approximate $5.8 billion impact on 2026 GAAP/non-GAAP results. TERN-701 has shown encouraging early activity and carries FDA Orphan Drug Designation from 2024, underscoring its potential as a differentiated CML therapy.
Merck is splitting its human health business into two divisions—a dedicated oncology unit to oversee cancer therapies (including Keytruda) and a separate specialty pharma and infectious diseases unit for non-cancer products and vaccines—part of a strategy to sharpen growth after Keytruda's looming patent cliff. The company cites expectations of continued leadership in oncology and potential multi-brand growth, highlighting leadership changes: Jannie Oosthuizen will run the oncology and international unit, while Brian Foard heads the new specialty/pharma/infectious diseases unit, with Chirfi Guindo in a policy/communications role. Merck aims to sustain long-term oncology leadership and push growth through its pipeline, with executives signaling potential of more than $70B in annual revenue mid-decade.
Merck is reorganizing its Human Health unit into two business units—Oncology and Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases—to sharpen commercial execution for a broader portfolio. New leaders Jannie Oosthuizen (Oncology) and Brian Foard (Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases) will report to CEO Robert Davis, while Chirfi Guindo leads Strategic Access, Policy & Communications. The move aims to better advance Merck’s widening pipeline, with about 80 Phase 3 trials and more than 20 growth drivers anticipated in the coming years.
Merck will split its human-health business into two units: a cancer-focused division led by Keytruda and a separate non-oncology medicines arm, as the company diversifies ahead of Keytruda’s looming loss of exclusivity. Keytruda remains the world’s top-selling drug, with more than $30 billion in revenue in 2025, accounting for about half of Merck’s total revenue. Shares rose about 1.4% in premarket trading. Merck has expanded its pipeline and made major acquisitions to bolster growth, and appointed Jannie Oosthuizen to lead the new cancer unit.
Merck reported that its experimental pill, elicitide, delivered a sharp reduction in cholesterol in a large clinical trial, signaling potential for a new therapy to lower cholesterol. Details on exact numbers and safety data were not provided in the summary, with further results anticipated.
Merck ended discussions to acquire Revolution Medicines due to a valuation disagreement, effectively halting the deal. Investor interest in Revolution’s cancer-drug pipeline remains buoyant ahead of several key clinical trial results later this year, with Mizuho Securities estimating Revolution’s pancreatic cancer drug could reach about $10 billion in annual global sales by 2035 if the trials prove successful and safe.
Merck is in negotiations to acquire biotech firm Revolution Medicines, with the deal not yet finalized and other bidders potentially involved, causing Revolution's shares to rise.
Merck is in negotiations to acquire Revolution Medicines, a cancer drug developer, for up to $32 billion, signaling a significant move in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
The article discusses the recent developments in the GLP-1 drug market, highlighting Novo Nordisk's new pill and the potential of out-of-favor drug makers like Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, and Pfizer as long-term investment opportunities due to their efforts to innovate and survive patent cliffs. Despite current setbacks, these companies are positioned for future growth, making them attractive for contrarian investors.