Merck (MRK) Pipeline Update - Mizuho Securities

Mizuho Securities analyst Mara Goldstein reiterated a Buy rating and $100.00 price target on Merck (NYSE: MRK) noting the key challenge, over the next decade will be in improving visibility of next-generation oncology growth drivers. She lays out a number of pipeline candidates below:

Vibostolimab (Phase III) for NSCLC, Melanoma, Prostate, and Solid Tumors, inhibits the TIGIT-CD155 co-inhibitory signal and enables CD155 (PVRIG) binding with CD226, which is a co-stimulatory receptor leading to T cell activation.

Belzutifan ( Phase II, under priority review) for Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) ccRCC, Pancreatic Neuroendocrine tumor, blocks HIF-2α–driven transcriptional activation of hypoxic genes that typically lead to angiogenesis, cell survival, and proliferation of cancer.

Favezelimab (Phase II) for MSS-CRC, NSCLC, RCC, Solid tumors, cHL, DLBCL and iNHL, inhibits interaction between LAG-3 and MHCII to promote TCR signaling and T cell activation, which leads to reinvigoration of exhausted Teff and inhibition Treg-induced immunosuppression.

MK-4830 (the (ILT4 Antagonist in Phase II) targets myeloid suppressive cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) through disrupting interactions between ILT4 (LILRB2) and TME ligands e.g., HLA-G, priming myeloid cells toward the pro-inflammatory antitumor state.

MK-6440 (Phase II) for TNBC, HR+ BC, and Advanced Solid Tumors, is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) comprised of a LIV-1 mAb, a proteolytically cleavable linker, and the anti-microtubulin cytotoxin, MMAE.

MK-2140 (Phase II) for R/R B-Cell Lymphoma and Advanced Solid Tumor, is an ADC comprised of a ROR1 mAb, a proteolytically cleavable linker, and the anti-microtubulin cytotoxin, MMAE.

Quavonlimab (Phase II) for RCC, HCC, MSI-H CRC, and NSCLC melanoma, relieves CTLA-4 and B7 binding, promoting interaction between B7 and CD28, which along with MHC/TCR signaling stimulates IL-2 production, T cell proliferation and survival and Teff function.

MK-1026 (previously ARQ-531 in Phase II) for CLL/SLL, MZL, MCL, FL, WM and Richter's transformation, is an inhibitor of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK), a non-receptor kinase key to the oncogenic signaling that promotes proliferation and survival of leukemic cells in many B cell malignancies.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Merck click here. For more ratings news on Merck click here.

Shares of Merck closed at $76.19 yesterday.

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