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Health awareness

Acting early in cancer detection

Diagnosing cancer early, before it has spread, may potentially lead to better outcomes

December 10, 2025

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Time is important with a cancer diagnosis. People with cancer may have the opportunity for better outcomes when the disease is detected early. And with increases in routine cancer screening (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies, lung cancer screenings, Pap smears, etc.), more cancer cases can be diagnosed before metastasis — before the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

“We’ve seen incredible progress in the fight against cancer in recent decades, driven by advances in early detection and the availability of new treatment options,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, vice president, oncology clinical research. “This progress makes me optimistic for a future where cancer is detected and treated as early as possible, giving patients the greatest chance to live cancer-free. We can’t rest now — I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to build on what we’ve learned about helping people with earlier stages of disease.”

But important work remains to continue to improve care and diagnose cancer early.

What is early-stage cancer?

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out how much cancer is in the body and if their disease has spread — this process is called staging, which can help guide treatment decisions. Different cancer stages have different treatments and possible outcomes, and they’re associated with different odds of recurrence. 

The stages of cancer

animated GIF of the four stages of cancer
  • Stage 0: Cancer is localized to where it started.
  • Stage 1: Cancer has not grown deeply into nearby tissues.
  • Stage 2 and 3: Cancer has grown more deeply into nearby tissues and may involve lymph nodes, but has not spread to distant parts of the body.
  • Stage 4: Tumor cells have spread to other organs or distant parts of the body.

Early-stage is a term that can be used to describe cancer that’s early in its growth, before it has spread to other parts of the body. However, each person’s experience with cancer is unique, and what doctors may define as early-stage can vary by the type of cancer.

When cancer is diagnosed, the goals of treatments are to slow, stop and possibly eliminate tumor growth.

Treatment may be more likely to be successful if it’s started before the cancer has spread, when surgery is a potential option. However, even after surgery, there’s a risk that the cancer may spread to other parts of the body. Additional treatment may help lower that risk. In certain instances, other treatment options can be used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to help to reduce the size of the tumor, and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to lower the chance of the cancer from potentially coming back.

Detecting and treating cancer early may help reduce the risk of recurrence and increase the potential for survival.

Innovation

Exploring the potential use of PET tracers in neurodegenerative disease research

Merck scientists are researching the potential of an investigational alpha-synuclein PET tracer in early identification Parkinson’s disease

December 9, 2025

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Photo of pet tracer machine

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of certain brain cells that are involved with the control of movement. Globally, the prevalence of Parkinson’s has doubled in the past 25 years with global estimates in 2019 showing over 8.5 million individuals living with PD. Most patients with Parkinson’s are diagnosed after experiencing worsening symptoms such as tremors, slow movements and gait abnormalities.

Unfortunately, by the time symptoms become apparent, a large proportion of affected brain cells have already been irreversibly damaged, making therapeutic intervention difficult. Researchers at Merck, along with the broader scientific community, are focused on exploring new ways to identify people with PD earlier in the course of their disease and to measure changes in disease progression.

Alpha-synuclein: A biomarker for Parkinson’s disease

Research evaluating the brains of people with PD has shown that abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein form as the disease progresses. Historically, the only way to evaluate the accumulation of alpha-synuclein is by analyzing brain tissue collected after a person dies.

Our scientists then asked: What if there was a way to detect the first signs of these abnormal protein deposits in the brain as a potential way to identify the early signs of PD before symptoms appear? Could we then also evaluate the potential of investigational therapies to slow disease progression?

Exploring noninvasive early detection for neurodegenerative disease

Advanced imaging technologies have helped evolve our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, in some instances leading to a better understanding of the disease and potential therapeutic options.

In PD, similar imaging techniques offer the potential of early detection and the ability to monitor disease progression. A PET tracer may offer a noninvasive method of detecting alpha-synuclein.

Our scientists are working to evaluate the potential of a PET tracer as a noninvasive way to visualize and measure alpha-synuclein, with the hope that it could lead to earlier detections of Parkinson’s disease.

scientist working in a lab

“A selective PET tracer for alpha-synuclein could have a significant impact on ongoing research by providing a window into what’s happening in the brain in real time,” said Dr. Eric D. Hostetler, executive director and head of translational imaging biomarkers at Merck. “We see the potential for an advanced imaging tool that could contribute to the development of novel treatments by potentially making it easier and more effective to test whether an investigational therapy that targets alpha-synuclein in the brain is working in clinical trials.”

Our research in this area was recognized by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Ken Griffin Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competition in 2023, and our scientists are continuing important research in multiple investigational PET tracers in the central nervous system space.

“We’re evaluating the potential of this investigational PET tracer to serve as a biomarker to measure disease progression and determine whether investigational therapies are able to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Jason Uslaner, vice president and head of neuroscience discovery at Merck. “It’s all about identifying the right patient at the right time for the right medicine.”

Learn more about our research in neuroscience.

Innovation

Building trust and advancing inclusion: Our approach to clinical trials in Uganda

In Uganda, where women are disproportionately impacted by HIV, our community-based research prioritizes meeting patients where they are

November 24, 2025

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Rebeca Plank, M.D., Ph.D. (right) and Joan Nabawanuka, community liaison officer at MU-JHU Care Ltd., meet with Kibuuka Yahaya Galabuzi, local leader of Katiko Fishing Village in the Mityana district.

In sub-Saharan Africa, young women are three times more likely than young men to be living with HIV. Now, Merck researchers are part of a coalition of community leaders, academic organizations and NGOs working in Uganda to help ensure that clinical trials for investigational HIV medicines are designed to address this disparity — and to reflect real-world challenges in local communities. By focusing on local voices and expertise, the coalition aims to build trust, improve trial design, address barriers to study participation and engage directly with the community.

To learn more about how these efforts have shaped our HIV clinical trials in Uganda, we chatted with two members of our on-the-ground research team: Ian Bradley-Perrin, Ph.D., and Rebeca Plank, M.D., MPH.

Why is inclusion important in HIV clinical trials?

Plank: People may respond differently to the same medicine based on factors like age, gender, weight or ethnicity. By prioritizing inclusivity in HIV clinical trials, our goal is to develop treatment and prevention options that work for all people affected by HIV.

SEE ALSO: Dr. Plank shares her motivations and hopes for the future of HIV research

Why is it important to include women in HIV clinical research, especially in countries like Uganda?

Bradley-Perrin: Cultural expectations, gender roles and the still-too-common stigma surrounding HIV and sexual health can make it difficult for women in Uganda to take part in HIV prevention trials. Historically, women’s underrepresentation in these prevention clinical trials limited our field’s understanding of how these medicines work specifically for them.

Plank: We’ve made an effort to expand our HIV prevention clinical trials to include pregnant and breastfeeding women because there are limited late-stage data and safety information in those populations. So, it’s important to move in that direction of greater inclusivity in our trials with the goal of driving the research and development of investigational medications to make sure there are options women can access regardless of their plans for pregnancy. Today, many health care providers may be reluctant to prescribe medicines that have not been studied in pregnant and/or lactating women, and pregnant and/or lactating women may be reluctant to take these medicines.

What’s the role of local communities in HIV prevention clinical trials?

Bradley-Perrin: We’ve learned that strong collaboration is essential — and it’s been a real two-way learning process. Partners like the University of Washington’s International Clinical Research Center bring long standing experience running clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Gates Foundation is providing strategic partnership and financial support for the operational needs of each clinical research site, including things like experienced research staff, upgraded facilities, and help building new clinics. Equally important is the Global Community Advisory Group: HIV prevention advocates with a country and global perspective who give critical input on trial design, recruitment materials and will advise on study operations throughout the trial. They give us honest feedback about community concerns and help keep us accountable and connected to people’s real lives and priorities.

For example, in Mityana, a rural district west of Kampala, our team collaborated with community leaders to support a local engagement strategy that helped identify locations where women have historically had trouble accessing HIV clinical trials, like fishing villages and gold mining communities.

Plank: By going out to a gold mine that was two hours from the clinic, I better understood the complexities of reaching this community, especially over the duration of a multi-year clinical trial. Transportation was a huge barrier that needed to be addressed to make sure women wouldn’t be hindered from participating because of where they lived or their access to transportation.

What are some other ways Merck is supporting clinical trial participants?

Bradley-Perrin: Along with transportation, we prioritized support services such as child care and, when needed, home visits to help women participate in the trials.

Plank: Thanks to the Gates Foundation, ICRC and our other partners on the ground, the clinical trial team has trained local staff, updated facilities and even helped to construct new research clinics that could be used for new research projects. These practical solutions aim to increase trial participation in geographies that need innovations the most and help address some of the practical challenges participants face.

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  • Godfrey Ssaka and Susan Vaz at lab
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  • Plank and Bradley-Perrin walk with Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, MBChB, Ph.D., principal investigator of MU-JHU Care Ltd.
  • Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D, Merck senior principal scientist and Joyce Matovu, site hospital liaison coordinator at MU-JHU Care Ltd., tour the Namulanda Mukikadde gold mine community in the Mityana district.
  • A view of Namulanda Mukikadde gold mine area in the Mityana district of Uganda, where innovative clinical trials for HIV are taking place.
  • Godfrey Ssaka, laboratory manager at MU-JHU Care Ltd., shows Susan Vaz, a clinical research manager at our company, around the lab.
  • Merck’s community-based research in Uganda prioritizes fostering trust and creating conditions to encourage inclusive trial participation.
Innovation

5 historical designations highlight groundbreaking scientific achievements

The American Chemical Society Landmark program recognizes important contributions to modern life through chemical sciences

November 19, 2025

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Employees Packaging Penicillin

Scientific achievements can significantly alter the course of history — for individuals, families and communities as well as for future scientific developments. We’re proud to have been recognized for our own contributions to science by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which has granted Merck five National Historic Chemical Landmarks (NHCL) designations since 1999.

This ACS program recognizes seminal achievements in the history of the chemical sciences and provides a record of the contributions to chemistry and society in the U.S. Our headquarters in Rahway, New Jersey, has been recognized four times. Our West Point, Pennsylvania, site has been recognized twice for our important work there.

Learn more about these groundbreaking landmark achievements:

01.

A landmark event in cardiovascular medicine

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide, driven largely by atherosclerosis, the build-up of cholesterol-rich plaques both in and on the arteries. Beginning in the late 20th century, a new class of medicines transformed prevention and treatment by helping to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

As scientists in the 1950s and 60s learned more about the body’s ability to synthesize cholesterol, it became apparent that a potential key to help address high LDL cholesterol was to interrupt the body’s ability to synthesize cholesterol. Building on that idea, a team of biochemists at Merck isolated a compound from fungal cultures that reduced plasma LDL cholesterol.

It was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1987 as the first commercially available statin. Subsequent research produced a series of semisynthetic and fully synthetic follow-on medicines, including a close analogue introduced by Merck in 1991 that offered improved potency.

ACS honored the discovery of this treatment that helped reduce the risk of cardiovascular events with the NHCL designation in 2025 at our sites in Rahway, New Jersey and West Point, Pennsylvania.

Learn more about our work in cardiovascular disease.

Julie Chen and Al Alberts

02.

Discovery and development of medicines for the treatment of HIV

In the early 1980s, as AIDS began to be perceived as a potential epidemic, scientists at Merck embarked on an urgent mission to understand the virus. They were among the first to discover and develop medicines for the treatment of HIV. Our company’s work in this space ultimately led to the development of a treatment that was important in helping to make HIV a survivable infection.

ACS honored the discovery of this life-saving treatment with the NHCL designation in 2022 at our site in West Point, Pennsylvania.

Learn more about our commitment to HIV treatments and prevention through the years.

Members of the HIV protease research team

03.

Development of a treatment against a debilitating infectious disease transmitted by parasites

Transmitted through the bite of black flies — which live and breed near fast-flowing streams and rivers — river blindness (onchocerciasis) is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. In 1978, Dr. William Campbell of Merck Research Laboratories suggested the use of Mectizan (ivermectin) against river blindness in humans. In the early 1980s, Dr. Mohammed Aziz collaborated with WHO to successfully design and implement field studies in West Africa on the disease. 

In 1987, Merck CEO Dr. Roy Vagelos announced our company’s commitment to donate Mectizan to treat river blindness — as much as needed, for as long as needed — and the Mectizan Donation Program was formed. Through the MDP, the work of Dr. Campbell and other Merck scientists continues to touch more than 300 million lives each year. In 2015, Dr. Campbell shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his role in developing ivermectin.

ACS honored the discovery of ivermectin with the NHCL designation in 2016 at our site in Rahway, New Jersey.

Learn more about 35 Years: The Mectizan® Donation Program.

young boy leading older blind man with a stick

04.

Addressing vitamin deficiencies through the synthesis and mass production of vitamin B

In the 1930s and 1940s, Merck scientists reported a series of advances in the study of the vitamin B complex, a group of nutrients that is essential to cell functioning. Availability of these vitamins resulted in dietary supplements and vitamin-enriched foods that encouraged healthy growth and development, as well as treatments for diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies.

These achievements were outstanding examples of the rapid advances occurring in the fields of biochemistry and organic chemistry during this era and led to notable improvements in human and animal health and nutrition.

ACS honored our research on the vitamin B complex with the NHCL designation in 2016 at our site in Rahway, New Jersey.

Historic photo of vitamin production at Merck's Rahway, NJ site

05.

Producing large-scale quantities of penicillin, a much-needed antibiotic during WWII

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, but it was very difficult to produce in large quantities. With the outbreak of World War II, the need for life-saving penicillin skyrocketed, and the mass production problem had to be solved quickly. At the request of the U.S. government, Merck and other pharmaceutical companies expanded research in the hopes of producing adequate supplies of this vital antibiotic. In cooperation with competitors, our research team helped develop a submerged fermentation process that sped production of penicillin for both the war effort and civilian use.

ACS honored the discovery of this life-saving treatment with the NHCL designation in 1999 at our site in Rahway, New Jersey.

Our history

For over 130 years, we’ve been guided by the view that great medicines and vaccines change the world.

“We try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It is not for the profits.”

  • George Merck

Explore our history
George Merck
Patients

This red chair is a reminder that patients can’t wait

Colleagues rally around a red chair as a reminder to work urgently for the people who need lifesaving medicines and vaccines

November 14, 2025

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Red chair with clock above it and shadows of patients in the background

When his close colleague’s father passed away in 2021, it was a stark reminder to Prashant Nikam: Patients can’t wait for lifesaving medicines and vaccines. Spurred by this loss, Nikam and his colleagues in Australia and New Zealand created a visual reminder of the people we’re working for: They put a red chair in their meeting room and asked, “What if the patient was sitting right here with us?” 

“Every day, someone’s relying on us. We need to make sure we’re doing everything possible so they can have access to our products in a timely manner.”

  • Prashant Nikam
    Managing director, Japan

“When we see that red chair in our workspace, when we envision that patient being in the room listening to us, we make decisions that are truly focused on doing what’s best for them,” said Nikam, now managing director, Japan.

The red chair: an urgent reminder to elevate the patient voice 

What started as a simple but powerful concept in Australia and New Zealand has now grown into a rallying cry at our sites around the world, due in part to support from Linda Kollmar, AVP of our patient innovation and engagement team. 

“People are urgently waiting for us to get our drugs and vaccines approved where they live, for access, for a prescription,” said Kollmar. “So, it’s more than just a red chair; it’s a mindset. And it transforms the way we work to ensure we’re keeping patients front and center.”  

The initiative now spans more than 40 of our global locations, where colleagues across the company have placed a chair representing the patient in boardrooms, conference rooms, labs, cafeterias and other workspaces.  

“When I’m thinking about a decision I’m making or work I’m doing, I think, ‘What if the patient was sitting right next to me? What would they be thinking and how would they want me to work with urgency for them?’”

  • Linda Kollmar
    AVP, patient innovation and engagement
Red chair in a spotlight

It’s an initiative that complements the work of her team, which engages with patients, patient advocates and communities to learn more about their perspectives, challenges and needs. The team brings that patient voice into the work we do — from discovery and clinical development to manufacturing and beyond. The chair is an additional, physical reminder to always think of the patient. 

A growing grassroots effort inspires new ways to put patients first 

Collage of red chairs in different locations including lab, conference room, lobby etc.

“As we started spreading the word about the red chair and hearing success stories from different teams, we realized that this is really a movement at a grassroots level that people can embrace to inspire them to put patients first,” Nikam said.

One of those first success stories came from the market access team in Australia, who wanted to help speed up the long approval process for a new medicine.

“Envisioning the patient in the room with them, the team brainstormed ways to highlight the urgency of the situation. They decided that in addition to bringing the safety, efficacy and economic data into their health technology assessment submissions, they would also bring the patient voice to the health authorities,” said Nikam. “So, they collected patient commentaries — inspiring and emotional stories of what it means to be a patient and without timely access to innovative medicines — and included these with our new submissions. These patient stories were overwhelmingly powerful firsthand accounts that authorities couldn’t ignore.”

A history and a future of putting patients first

This longstanding commitment to patients can be traced back to our company’s beginnings more than 130 years ago. In 1925, then-president George W. Merck said, “We try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It is not for the profits.”

That ethos continues to inspire us today. The red chair is one way we maintain our focus, but it’s a sentiment that’s important for all who serve patients to embrace.

“It’s not just for us. It’s bigger than us,” said Kollmar. “I would love to see more red chairs representing patients all over the globe. That would be incredible.”

Sustainability

We’re helping build a brighter future for maternal health in America

Our Merck for Mothers initiative is partnering to drive change across the country for women who are pregnant through postpartum

November 6, 2025

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collage of women with babies

Maternal health is a vital sign of a society’s well-being — one that reflects the strength of our health systems, equity in access and the dignity afforded to every woman in her care journey. Yet with the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations and more than 80% of these deaths deemed preventable, the U.S. lags significantly behind.

Prenatal care
1 in 6

Infants in the U.S. were born to mothers receiving inadequate prenatal care in 2023

Postpartum depression
1 in 8

Women in the U.S. with a recent live birth reported symptoms of postpartum depression in 2018

Pregnancy-related deaths
669

Women died of maternal causes in the U.S. in 2023

Too many women face obstacles at each stage of the pregnancy journey — but hope is on the horizon

“Local and community-led initiatives are emerging as powerful catalysts for creating a healthier future for all,” said Kalahn Taylor-Clark, Ph.D., MPH, Merck’s VP and head of Social Impact and Sustainability.

Taylor-Clark and other leaders at Merck for Mothers, our company’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life, recently weighed in on “the essential work that remains to drive transformative improvements in maternal health,” in a series for Health Affairs. Below, find key points from each stage of the pregnancy journey — and learn how their approach to partner with community organizations is making a difference.

Pregnancy: Laying the foundation for healthier outcomes

Access to quality prenatal care from the start is crucial. Without early and regular visits, women face higher complication risks, and their babies are more susceptible to low birth weight and increased infant mortality.  Merck for Mothers, which has reached more than 34 million women worldwide through programs promoting safe, high-quality, respectful care, created the Safer Childbirth Cities initiative to address this. The initiative helps 20 city-based coalitions across the U.S. implement strategies to support pregnant people.

For example, in New Jersey, where our company is headquartered, the Trenton Health Team  provides safe transportation to clinics so women can access crucial prenatal care. In San Francisco, SisterWeb doulas are empowering mothers to advocate for themselves and access necessary care. These initiatives are part of a growing national movement setting a precedent for broader, transformative change.

Safe delivery: Vital solutions for improving maternal health

More than half of pregnancy-related maternal deaths occur after delivery, often because of latent co-morbidities like hypertension and diabetes.

A significant challenge is lack of awareness about postpartum risks and warning signs. To combat this, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, supported by Merck for Mothers, has launched the Post-Birth Warning Signs education program, equipping health care providers, parents and families with crucial knowledge about post-delivery complications, empowering them to act swiftly.

Simultaneously, efforts like the Hear Her campaign are amplifying women’s voices, raising awareness about the importance of speaking up.

Postpartum: Navigating challenges with comprehensive support

The postpartum period, especially in the first 12 weeks — also coined the “fourth trimester” — is a time of not only physical recovery but also substantial emotional and social adjustment. The needs of mothers during this period are often overlooked, with limited access to mental health resources exacerbating the problem.

Efforts are being made to strengthen screening for perinatal mood disorders. For instance, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, in part through support from Merck for Mothers, developed The Lifeline for Moms Perinatal Mental Health Tool Kit, a comprehensive resource with actionable information, algorithms and clinical insights to help obstetric providers effectively address perinatal mental health conditions.

Economic factors can further intensify postpartum challenges. With support from Merck for Mothers, Baby2Baby is expanding its maternal health and newborn supply kit program, providing essential items like diapers and breastfeeding supplies. By easing financial burdens, the organization helps enable mothers to focus on their health and their baby’s well-being.

The path forward

Transforming maternal health requires more than medical intervention — it requires a cultural and systemic shift toward wraparound, person-centered care at every stage, plus collective action.

“Working together, we can create a system that truly values and helps protect the health of all mothers. It’s essential to focus not only on supporting health care providers but also on supporting friends, family, and the broader community—the entire village of care surrounding pregnant women.”

  • Jacquelyn Caglia
    Head of Merck for Mothers

Learn more about Merck for Mothers.

Health awareness

Understanding the health risks of high LDL cholesterol

Our scientists are investigating a potential new approach to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in order to help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes

October 30, 2025

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What does high cholesterol mean?

Cholesterol is obtained from food and produced by the liver. It carries out several important functions in our body, including the synthesis of new cells, some hormones and substances that help digest food. There are two kinds of cholesterol: high-density lipids (HDL) and low-density lipids (LDL). Too much LDL cholesterol can pose a problem.

LDL-C, also known as “bad cholesterol,” is known to combine with fats and other substances leading to the buildup over time of fatty deposits, known as atherosclerotic plaques, on and within the inner walls of arteries. This may increase an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke. People with elevated LDL-C levels in their blood have a condition called hypercholesterolemia.

Certain health conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as behavior and lifestyle factors like smoking, eating a diet high in saturated and trans fats and lack of exercise, have been shown to increase a person’s risk for hypercholesterolemia. Other factors that increase risk include a family history of cardiovascular disease, older age and gender (women tend to have lower LDL levels than men until ~55 years of age or until menopause).

SEE ONE PATIENT’S JOURNEY: A call to action: Lowering LDL cholesterol

Hypercholesterolemia: a major causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Hypercholesterolemia is a leading contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a condition caused by the buildup of plaque within arteries, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels. This may result in cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke and continues to pose a significant health burden.

The CV epidemic

~24.1%

Adults live with hypercholesterolemia; ~86M adults in the U.S. are affected

~500M

People worldwide are affected by cardiovascular disease

~20.5M

Deaths from cardiovascular disease in 2021; ~900K deaths in the U.S. in 2023

Despite widespread availability of therapeutic interventions, 70% of the patients treated with lipid-lowering therapies are not achieving guideline recommended reductions in LDL cholesterol and, as a result, remain at risk for serious cardiovascular events.

“Millions of people are impacted by hypercholesterolemia and struggle to meet their recommended LDL cholesterol level,” said Dr. Puja Banka, associate vice president, clinical research and global clinical development.

Photo of Puja Banka

“Cardiovascular disease is a serious global public health threat, and we’re investigating an established biological mechanism coupled with the potential of an innovative modality to help support patients who continue to have high LDL cholesterol levels.”

  • Dr. Puja Banka

Our PCSK9 research

Over two decades ago, researchers identified the connection between proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and cholesterol when a genetic mutation in the PCSK9 gene was observed in a family with familial hypercholesterolemia. PCSK9 plays a role in controlling the level of LDL-C in the blood by regulating the number of LDL receptors on the surface of cells, which are responsible for the binding and removing of cholesterol from the blood stream.

Today, Merck scientists are building on these findings to research different ways to target PCSK9 as a potential approach to help reduce LDL-C levels in the blood.

“For nearly 70 years, our company has been developing medicines to help address the burden of cardiovascular disease,” said Banka. “And we’re combining our deep expertise in cardiovascular disease and our strong medicinal chemistry capabilities to help advance PCSK9 research.”

Learn more about our commitment to cardiovascular health.

Innovation

Our Q3 2025 financial results

October 30, 2025

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two scientists wearing lab coats working in a lab

Merck’s (NYSE: MRK) Q3 2025 sales performance reflects strength across oncology and animal health, as well as increasing contributions from new launches. Our company announced Q3 worldwide sales of $17.3 billion.​​

“In the third quarter, we continued to execute on our strategy with important pipeline advancements, significant approvals and successful new product launches,” said Rob Davis, chairman and CEO. “We’re delivering value to patients and customers through our innovative portfolio of medicines and vaccines, and we’re securing our future by making important investments in our pipeline — including through compelling, strategic business development like our completed acquisition of Verona Pharma and expanded U.S. manufacturing and R&D spending. With each milestone we achieve, my conviction that we’re well-positioned to drive the next chapter of success for our company increases.”​​

Merck anticipates full-year 2025 worldwide sales to be between $64.5 billion and $65.0 billion.​​

Take a look at the infographic below for more details on Q3 2025 results.

Listen to the sales and earnings call

Read the press release

primary article image

Download infographic

Patients

More treatment options mean more flexibility for people with cancer

Additional treatment options can help patients make time for their health and their priorities

October 28, 2025

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younger woman in the kitchen with her arm around an older woman and a young man nearby smiling

Every person diagnosed with cancer is unique. That’s why it’s so important for patients to have more treatment options, including ones that for some patients could be given in different care settings that are closer to home. This may give them flexibility and potentially allows them to have more time to care for their health.

Understand cancer treatment options

Advances in cancer treatment are happening every day and therapeutic options are continuously expanding. The right cancer treatment for a given patient depends on many factors including the type of cancer they have, the stage of their cancer and their overall health. Some common options include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Surgery

Each of these types of cancer treatment work in a unique way to help treat the disease. Certain treatments also can be delivered in different ways, including but not limited to:

  • Orally: Via a pill or something taken by mouth
  • Topically: Applied to the surface of the skin
  • Intravenously: Administered through a needle or tube inserted into a vein (also called an infusion, when the medication is delivered over a specified period of time)
  • Subcutaneous injection: Via a needle inserted directly into the fatty tissue layer between the skin and muscle — or right under your skin

As additional treatment options become available, patients and caregivers are more likely to be able to consider which treatment option works best for their condition, lifestyle and preferences.

Researchers are exploring how to make treatment more flexible

Traditionally, some therapies have been administered only in hospitals and infusion clinics, often requiring patients to travel for their care, which can be time-consuming and burdensome. Once patients arrive, there are multiple steps health care providers must take in preparing for and administering treatment and observing the patient afterwards. A treatment day can be long when you consider the time from when patients leave their homes to the time they return from treatment.

Recent research has led to options that may allow for treatment to be administered subcutaneously rather than intravenously, making it possible for patients to receive treatment in more health care settings such as a doctor’s office or a community-based care center. With more choices available, patients have options that may allow them to personalize their treatment approach based on their specific lifestyle needs, so they can focus on other things that matter to them. These options may also provide additional flexibility and time savings for health care providers and systems.

Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza

“Time is one of the most valuable resources we all have, and at Merck we believe in prioritizing health so we can embrace every moment.”

  • Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza
    Vice president of global clinical development, Merck

“Cancer is not a one-size-fits-all disease, so it’s important that health care providers are able to offer treatment options that allow patients more flexibility,” said Pietanza.

Make time for your health — and the other parts of your life, too

Roz Faulhaber, a school counselor who had colorectal cancer, discovered firsthand the challenges of finding enough hours in the day to make time for everything following a cancer diagnosis.

“Receiving cancer treatment while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in my life has been very challenging at times. I commute several hours to my treatment center and once I get there, the treatment itself can take hours. I want to spend more of my day with my grandchildren or relaxing at our beach home,” said Faulhaber.

Roz Faulhaber

“Discussing my treatment options with my doctor has been crucial — they’ve helped me select a care plan that best meets my needs, and we continue to discuss options that could give me time back in my day and flexibility.”

  • Roz Faulhaber

Patients should talk to their health care provider about treatment options, including methods of administration and dosing schedules, that fit their needs and may provide them with more flexibility.

Learn about our oncology research.

Health awareness

A call to action: Lowering LDL cholesterol

See how a grandfather's heart attack sparked a journey toward lowering his LDL cholesterol level

October 28, 2025

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a man and woman smiling and talking

“Life is short. It can change any second,” John Bald said he realized when his ski trip ended in the hospital.

While on the slopes several years ago, Bald, a father of three and grandfather of three, started to feel chest pain. What he thought was heartburn kept getting worse with each run.

“When I finally got to the hospital, I ran to the emergency window, and by the time I got to the window, I almost collapsed,” Bald said.

His doctors discovered he was having a heart attack. They found a 95% blockage of his right coronary artery, a common sign of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and he later learned he had high levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol.

The blockage was cleared, and Bald received a stent in his heart to keep his artery open and improve blood flow to the rest of his body. As someone who had been active and relatively healthy, he was surprised by his diagnosis.

What is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?

ASCVD is a condition caused by the buildup of plaque (bad cholesterol, fats and other substances) within the arteries, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can result in serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. ASCVD includes diseases that can narrow or block arteries in your heart, legs, and/or brain.

The risks of high cholesterol

Bald learned his high LDL cholesterol put him at an increased risk of a future heart attack or stroke.

A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of several risk factors that can contribute to the development of ASCVD. Plaques can silently build up in arteries over time, which may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

John Bald in a swimming pool and holding hands with small grandchild

Bald and his doctor came up with a treatment plan to manage his cholesterol. These conversations with his doctor, in addition to medication and lifestyle changes, helped Bald lower his risk of future cardiovascular events. It also prompted his adult family members to understand their own cardiovascular risk.

Today, Bald savors every minute splashing in the pool with his three grandchildren.

Watch above to learn more about John Bald’s journey to lowering his LDL cholesterol.