Merck's anti-TL1A antibody from its 2023 Prometheus Biosciences acquisition delivered positive mid-stage results in hidradenitis suppurativa but failed to meet endpoints in a rare lung disease trial. The company disclosed the mixed Phase 2 results alongside its second-quarter earnings.
Merck beat second-quarter estimates and boosted its 2026 sales forecast after strong demand for newer drugs like Winrevair helped drive revenues higher, though the company cut profit guidance due to deal-related charges.
Hilleman Laboratories, a Singapore-based partnership between Merck and Wellcome, is preparing to produce doses of an experimental vaccine targeting the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola amid a fast-spreading outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Merck signed voluntary licensing agreements with seven generic drug manufacturers—including Aspen Pharmacare, Cipla, Aurobindo, and Viatris—to produce and sell lower-cost versions of alimatravir, its experimental once-monthly oral HIV pill, in 129 low- and middle-income countries. The drug is currently in late-stage development.
Gilead Sciences and Merck announced that their experimental once-weekly HIV pill combining islatravir and lenacapavir successfully maintained viral suppression at 48 weeks in two Phase 3 trials (ISLEND-1 and ISLEND-2) involving 1,209 adults with virologically suppressed HIV. The results support regulatory filings for what could become the first once-weekly oral HIV treatment regimen.
The FDA has approved Merck's Idvynso (doravirine/islatravir), a once-daily, two-drug single tablet for treating HIV-1 infection in adults to replace current antiretroviral regimens in virologically suppressed patients.
Researchers published findings that Merck's experimental HIV prevention pill could be produced for less than $5 per year, urging the company to urgently begin licensing generic production to improve global access.
