Merck (MRK) Announces FDA Holds on Studies Evaluating Islatravir for the Treatment and Prevention of HIV-1 Infection

Merck's (MRK) VAXNEUVANCE Approved in the EU for Individuals 18 Years of Age and Older

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today the European Commission (EC) has approved VAXNEUVANCE (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in individuals 18 years of age and older. The approval allows marketing of VAXNEUVANCE in all 27 European Union (EU) Member States plus Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein. The use of VAXNEUVANCE in the EU should be in accordance with official recommendations.

The ECs decision follows a positive opinion from the European Medicines Agencys... More

UBS Upgrades Pfizer (PFE) to Buy, Downgrades Merck (MRK) to Neutral

UBS analyst Colin Bristow downgraded shares of Merck to Neutral (NYSE: MRK) on the lack of evident catalysts and the lack of visibility around key growth drivers.

The analyst also lowered the price target to $76.00 per share from the prior $98.00 as two key growth drivers - islatravir for HIV, molnupiravir for COVID - facilitated negative updates recentl

molnup's hospitalization/death relative risk reduction dropped from 48% (at interim) to ~30% (all evaluable patients) and... More

UPDATE: UBS Downgrades Merck (MRK) to Neutral

(Updated - December 13, 2021 4:41 AM EST)

UBS analyst Colin Bristow downgraded Merck (NYSE: MRK) from Buy to Neutral with a price target of $76.00 (from $98.00).

The analyst comments "We are downgrading MRK to Neutral and lowering our PT to $76 (from $98) given two of MRK's potential key growth drivers (islatravir for HIV, molnupiravir for COVID) have had recent negative updates and we... More