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RAHWAY, N.J. - Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has announced positive outcomes from a clinical trial evaluating a new treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The results, presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, show a 56.3% objective response rate for the investigational drug zilovertamab vedotin when combined with standard care.
The Phase 2/3 waveLINE-003 study assessed the efficacy of zilovertamab vedotin, an antibody drug conjugate targeting the ROR1 protein, in patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL. The study revealed that out of 16 patients treated with a 1.75 mg/kg dose of the drug in combination with rituximab and gemcitabine-oxaliplatin (R-GemOx), eight achieved complete responses and one had a partial response. Despite the promising results, Merck’s stock is currently trading near its 52-week low, suggesting potential upside according to InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis.
Dr. Philippe Armand from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the study’s principal investigator, emphasized the need for additional treatment options for this patient group and described the trial results as encouraging.
The trial, which enrolled 40 patients, also investigated two other dosage levels of zilovertamab vedotin. The 1.75 mg/kg dose demonstrated a manageable safety profile and was selected as the recommended Phase 2 dose. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in 98% of participants, with Grade 3 or higher events occurring in 63%.
Merck is further evaluating zilovertamab vedotin in various clinical trials, including the Phase 3 waveLINE-010 study for previously untreated DLBCL and the Phase 2 waveLINE-011 study, which compares the drug with polatuzumab vedotin in combination with R-CHP treatment.
The company’s broad oncology portfolio includes more than 25 types of cancer treatments and investigational drugs, reflecting its commitment to advancing care and innovation in hematologic malignancies. With a robust dividend yield of 4.24% and a 55-year track record of consistent dividend payments, Merck continues to reward long-term investors while investing in future growth.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Merck & Co., Inc. and has not been independently verified. The company’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that the pipeline candidates will obtain regulatory approval or be commercially successful.
In other recent news, Merck & Co., Inc. announced positive results from its Phase 3 KEYNOTE-B96 trial, which could lead to a new treatment option for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. The trial met its primary endpoint of progression-free survival and a secondary endpoint of overall survival in patients whose tumors express PD-L1. In a separate development, Merck and Daichii Sankyo withdrew their application for U.S. approval of the lung cancer drug patritumab deruxtecan after it failed to achieve statistical significance in a phase 3 trial. Meanwhile, Merck’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.81 per share for the third quarter of 2025, emphasizing the company’s commitment to shareholder value. Additionally, UBS maintained its Buy rating on Merck stock with a $105 price target, as the company anticipates results from its Phase 3 CORALreef program. This program focuses on enlicitide decanoate, a potential PCSK9 inhibitor, with UBS projecting significant market potential. At Merck’s recent annual meeting, shareholders approved the board and executive compensation but voted against proposals on human rights and tax transparency. These developments reflect ongoing strategic and research efforts by Merck in the pharmaceutical industry.
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