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On Tuesday, BMO Capital reiterated its Market Perform rating for Merck (NSE:PROR) stock, maintaining a price target of $82.00, as shares trade near their 52-week low of $73.31. According to InvestingPro data, analyst targets range from $82 to $138, reflecting mixed sentiment about Merck’s long-term oncology strategy despite potential short-term challenges.
The analysts highlighted Merck’s ongoing development efforts and historical successes, particularly in oncology. With a robust gross profit margin of 77% and P/E ratio of 11, Merck maintains strong fundamentals. While questions remain regarding near-term growth, with 10 analysts recently revising earnings downward, the subcutaneous form of Keytruda is expected to receive FDA approval in September, though analysts believe that the projected conversion rate from the intravenous formulation might face hurdles.
The report emphasized that while Merck’s development pipeline is robust, with promising assets like sac-TMT and MK-1084, the timeline for trial readouts could delay any immediate impact on the company’s stock performance. Analysts also pointed out that hospitals and clinics would need significant adjustments to accommodate the new Keytruda formulation.
BMO Capital’s analysis suggests that while Merck’s long-term prospects are promising, the company’s stock might not see immediate benefits due to these operational and organizational challenges.
In other recent news, Merck & Co., Inc. reported promising results from its Phase 1 KANDLELIT-001 study on the investigational cancer drug MK-1084, which showed positive safety and efficacy in treating KRAS G12C-mutant solid tumors. The study highlighted an overall response rate of 38% in colorectal cancer patients treated with MK-1084 monotherapy and 77% in untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients when combined with KEYTRUDA. In another development, Merck announced favorable outcomes from a trial of zilovertamab vedotin for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, achieving a 56.3% objective response rate when used with standard care. Meanwhile, Merck has been in discussions about potentially acquiring MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, a Swiss biotech firm, for over $3 billion, although initial offers were declined. The possible acquisition aligns with Merck’s strategy to enhance its drug pipeline through strategic acquisitions. Additionally, Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its Buy rating for Merck, following the company’s presentation of its expansive oncology strategy at the American Society of Clinical Oncology event. The strategy includes more than 60 registrational trials, with significant commercial opportunities projected from its antibody-drug conjugates programs. At Merck’s recent annual meeting, shareholders approved all board nominees and executive compensation, while rejecting proposals for a human rights impact assessment and a tax transparency report.
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