Merck's Pipeline Momentum: Keytruda's Success and Beyond

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is set to participate in the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference on March 3, 2025. The company's executives, Caroline Litchfield, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Dr. Dean Y. Li, executive vice president and president of Merck Research Laboratories, will engage in a fireside chat, providing valuable insights into the company's strategic direction and pipeline development.

Merck's participation in the conference comes at a critical juncture, as the company seeks to diversify its portfolio and prepare for the potential loss of U.S. exclusivity for its blockbuster cancer drug, Keytruda, in 2028. The company's pipeline is broadening, with a focus on general and specialty medicine, which will play an important role in its future beyond 2028.

Keytruda, Merck's flagship cancer drug, accounted for about 42% of the company's sales in 2023. The drug has been a cancer juggernaut for over a decade, scoring its 40th indication in June and adding yet another in late September. Despite the looming patent cliff, Merck is boosting its portfolio to ensure a smooth transition into a post-Keytruda era.

Merck's cardiometabolic pipeline is a significant area of focus, with the company anticipating seven potential approvals by 2030, leading to peak revenue potential of more than $15 billion by the mid-2030s. The company's first-in-class treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension, Winrevair, received FDA approval in March 2024, with a broad label that allows physicians to prescribe it to patients outside phase 3 study criteria. Merck is also exploring Winrevair's use in just-diagnosed PAH patients and in heart failure patients who develop pulmonary hypertension, with data expected to read out before the end of the year.

Beyond Winrevair, Merck is set to read out its first pivotal study of its oral PCSK9 inhibitor to lower cholesterol in 2025. The daily pill, MK-0616, is an oral solution that could have a risk-benefit profile comparable to injectables, potentially reaching a much broader population.

Merck's pipeline momentum extends beyond cardiometabolic therapies. The company is also exploring strategic partnerships and collaborations to augment its pipeline and maintain its competitive edge. In January 2025, Merck entered into a global license deal with Hansoh Pharma for a preclinical, oral small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, indicating its interest in moving GLP-1 therapies from injectable to oral therapies.

Merck's participation in the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference is an opportunity for the company to engage with investors, analysts, and other stakeholders, updating them on its strategic vision, financial performance, and pipeline progress. By doing so, Merck can secure funding and support for its ongoing and future projects, attract partners and collaborators for its pipeline assets, and enhance its reputation as a leading science and technology company committed to improving the futures of people with cancer and other diseases.



In conclusion, Merck's participation in the TD Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference is a critical step in shaping the company's strategic direction and pipeline development. By highlighting its pipeline momentum, financial outlook, and potential new partnerships or collaborations, Merck can influence investor sentiment and stock performance in both the short and long term. As the company continues to diversify its portfolio and prepare for the post-Keytruda era, investors can expect Merck to remain a strong player in the global healthcare landscape.