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Data updated: Sep 20, 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:
49 Small Molecules 22 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 KEYTRUDA QLEX (PEMBROLIZUMAB) Accelerated
2025 ENFLONSIA (CLESROVIMAB-CFOR) Fast Track
2024 WINREVAIR (SOTATERCEPT-CSRK) First-in-Class · Orphan · Breakthrough · Priority Review
2024 OHTUVAYRE (ENSIFENTRINE)
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)

Upcoming FDA Decisions

Full Calendar →
Sep 21, 2026 — Winrevair (sotatercept)
1d
Oct 4, 2026 — Welireg (belzutifan) + Lenvima (lenvatinib)
Oct 10, 2026 — Ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd)
+2 more dates (Pro)

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 22 biologic and 49 small-molecule drugs. Weighted by commercial stage — approved drugs count most, then late-stage trials.

Oncology 42%
6 drugs Phase 3: 173 Phase 2: 129 Phase 1: 222
Infectious Disease 28%
7 drugs Phase 3: 127 Phase 2: 72 Phase 1: 107
Metabolic 13%
9 drugs Phase 3: 54 Phase 2: 16 Phase 1: 61
Cardiovascular 10%
7 drugs Phase 3: 42 Phase 2: 18 Phase 1: 48
Respiratory 7%
6 drugs Phase 3: 17 Phase 2: 42 Phase 1: 21

Merck Pipeline Snapshot

Merck has 1149 active clinical programs from ClinicalTrials.gov — 413 Phase 3, 277 Phase 2 and 459 Phase 1.

413
Phase 3
277
Phase 2
459
Phase 1

Phase 3 Readout Calendar Pro

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

Full calendar →
Q4 2026
Belzutifan
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
Estimated · stale NCT05239728
Q4 2026
Pembrolizumab
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
Estimated · stale NCT04736706
Q4 2026
Enlicitide
Hyperlipidemia
Estimated · fresh NCT07216482
Unlock 5 more readouts with confidence-graded estimates
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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
Compare with competitor →

Execution Intelligence

  • • Phase 3: 315/456 completed
  • • Speed: 18 months avg
Unlock Full Intelligence

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