FDA approval coverage and associated clinical efficacy details can drive healthcare pharma sentiment and near-term trading interest. The Animal Health acquisition may add additional upside narrative, though the purchase price is undisclosed and closing is still pending.
Here’s Why Merck (MRK) is Among the 10 Undervalued Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Now Jeff Lewis Wed, June 17, 2026 at 7:35 PM GMT+2 2 min read MRK Merck & Co. , Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one of the 10 Undervalued Counter Cyclical Stocks to Buy Now .
On June 12, 2026, Merck & Co. , Inc. (NYSE:MRK) announced that the U.
S. Food and Drug Administration approved KEYTRUDA and KEYTRUDA QLEX, each in combination with WELIREG, for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with renal cell carcinoma with a clear cell component at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy, or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions. Merck said the approvals represent the first approval for WELIREG in earlier-stage ccRCC and the first approvals for PD-1 and HIF-2 alpha inhibitor combination regimens.
The approvals were based on results from the Phase 3 LITESPARK-022 trial, which enrolled 1,841 patients. Merck said KEYTRUDA in combination with WELIREG significantly improved disease-free survival, reducing the risk of disease recurrence, metastasis, or death by 28% compared with KEYTRUDA plus placebo. The estimated 24-month disease-free survival rate was 81% with KEYTRUDA plus WELIREG, compared with 74% with KEYTRUDA plus placebo.
Median disease-free survival was not reached in either arm, while overall survival results were not yet mature at the interim analysis. Pixabay/Public domain On June 11, 2026, Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co. , Inc.
(NYSE:MRK), signed a definitive agreement to acquire Targan, a privately held company developing biodevice solutions for the poultry industry, for an undisclosed purchase price. Merck Animal Health has invested in Targan since 2017 and has been one of its largest shareholders. The proposed acquisition is expected to close in Q3, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Merck & Co. , Inc. (NYSE:MRK) operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
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