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Data updated: Nov 8, 2026

Merck

MRK Big Pharma
OncologyInfectious DiseaseMetabolic Execution: Good

Research-driven pharma giant anchored by Keytruda, the world's best-selling cancer drug. Strong pipeline in oncology, vaccines (Gardasil), and infectious disease. Known as MSD outside the US.

$64.2B
Revenue (2024)
$240.0B
Market Cap
-
Trials
5
New Drugs (2yr)
Modality:
48 Small Molecules 24 Biologics

FDA Novel Drug Designations

(2016-2025)
13 Novel 6 First-in-Class 3 Orphan 3 Breakthrough 1 Accelerated 6 Priority Review 5 Fast Track
See 13 novel approvals →
2025 ENFLONSIA (CLESROVIMAB-CFOR) Fast Track
2025 KEYTRUDA QLEX (PEMBROLIZUMAB) Accelerated
2024 OHTUVAYRE (ENSIFENTRINE)
2024 WINREVAIR (SOTATERCEPT-CSRK) First-in-Class · Orphan · Breakthrough · Priority Review
2022 VTAMA (TAPINAROF) First-in-Class
2021 WELIREG (BELZUTIFAN) First-in-Class · Orphan · Priority Review
2021 VERQUVO (VERICIGUAT) First-in-Class · Priority Review · Fast Track
2019 RECARBRIO (CILASTATIN SODIUM) Priority Review · Fast Track
2018 PIFELTRO (DORAVIRINE)
2017 PREVYMIS (LETERMOVIR) First-in-Class · Orphan · Breakthrough · Priority Review · Fast Track
2017 STEGLATRO (ERTUGLIFLOZIN)
2016 ZEPATIER (ELBASVIR) Breakthrough · Priority Review · Fast Track
2016 ZINPLAVA (BEZLOTOXUMAB) First-in-Class

Merck at a Glance

  • Leading 29 drug targets across portfolio
  • Fast trial execution (18 months median completion)

Merck's Recent FDA Approvals

Merck secured 5 new FDA approvals for novel drugs (NDA/BLA) in the last two years.

LIPFENDRA NDA
2026-07-15
enlicitide decanoate
IDVYNSO NDA
2026-04-20
doravirine
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE IDVYNSO™ is indicated as a complete two-drug regimen for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in adults to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in those who are virologically-suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen with no history of virologic treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to doravirine [see Microbiology (12.4) and Clinical Studies (14) ]. IDVYNSO is a two-drug combination of doravirine, a HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), and islatravir, a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), and is indicated as a complete regimen for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults to replace the current antiretroviral regimen in those who are virologically-suppressed (HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies per mL) on a stable antiretroviral regimen with no history of virologic treatment failure and no known substitutions associated with resistance to doravirine. ( 1 )
KEYTRUDA QLEX BLA
2025-09-19
pembrolizumab
Melanoma
KEYTRUDA QLEX BLA
2025-09-19
pembrolizumab
Melanoma
ENFLONSIA BLA
2025-06-09
clesrovimab-cfor
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Disease

Merck's Therapeutic Areas

Merck's approved drugs and pipeline span 5 therapeutic areas, led by Oncology and Infectious Disease, across 24 biologic and 48 small-molecule drugs. Weighted by commercial stage — approved drugs count most, then late-stage trials.

Oncology 42%
6 drugs Phase 3: 174 Phase 2: 129 Phase 1: 225
Infectious Disease 28%
7 drugs Phase 3: 127 Phase 2: 74 Phase 1: 108
Metabolic 12%
9 drugs Phase 3: 54 Phase 2: 16 Phase 1: 61
Cardiovascular 10%
7 drugs Phase 3: 44 Phase 2: 18 Phase 1: 49
Respiratory 8%
6 drugs Phase 3: 19 Phase 2: 43 Phase 1: 22

Merck Pipeline Snapshot

Merck has 1163 active clinical programs from ClinicalTrials.gov — 418 Phase 3, 280 Phase 2 and 465 Phase 1.

418
Phase 3
280
Phase 2
465
Phase 1

Phase 3 Readout Calendar Pro

8 Phase 3 trials with confidence-graded primary completion dates.

Full calendar →
Q4 2026
Enlicitide
Hyperlipidemia
Estimated · aging NCT07216482
Q1 2027
Sacituzumab tirumotecan
Gastroesophageal Cancer
Estimated · aging NCT06356311
Q1 2027
Sacituzumab Govitecan
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
Estimated · aging NCT05609968
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Anchored on CT.gov primary completion date. Topline announcements typically precede this by 3–9 months. Confidence labels combine date type (ACTUAL/ESTIMATED) with last-update freshness.

Pro Intelligence Preview

Deep insights for investors and analysts

Revenue Insights

  • • KEYTRUDA leads revenue
  • • 5 key drugs tracked
View revenue breakdown →

Trial Catalysts

  • • Oncology pipeline focus
  • • 8 Phase 3 readouts tracked
View readout calendar →

Patent Risk

  • • Patent expiration timeline
  • • Revenue at risk analysis
View patent timeline →

Compare Companies

  • • Side-by-side pipeline analysis
  • • Revenue & market share comparison
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Execution Intelligence

  • • Phase 3: 315/456 completed
  • • Speed: 18 months avg
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Revenue forecasts • Trial milestones • Patent risk modeling

How We Calculate These Metrics

Execution Quality Score

Measures trial completion rates weighted by phase importance. Phase 3 trials count 4x more than Phase 1 because late-stage completion is harder and more valuable.

What counts as "completed": A trial that reached its planned endpoint and reported results. Trials that were terminated early, withdrawn, or suspended are not counted as completed—these often indicate safety issues, lack of efficacy, or strategic pivots.

  • Excellent (80%+): Top-tier execution, most trials reach planned endpoints
  • Good (60-79%): Strong execution with occasional early terminations
  • Fair (40-59%): Average execution, notable rate of terminated/withdrawn trials
  • Needs Improvement (under 40%): High termination rates, execution challenges