Merck & Co.'s Stock Soars on FDA Approval of Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor
Merck & Co.'s stock price surged by approximately 0.9% to around $149.09 USD as of September 1, 2026, on the New York Stock Exchange.
This gain comes after the FDA approved an oral PCSK9 inhibitor, LIPFENDRA, which is a first-of-its-kind treatment for cholesterol management.
The approval adds a new growth driver to Merck's cardiovascular portfolio and broadens its presence in chronic preventive therapies. An oral daily tablet may increase patient adherence and expand the addressable market for cholesterol-lowering treatment.
The company has also reported positive Phase 3 results from an individualized mRNA cancer vaccine trial in melanoma, which supports its growth story and projects revenue of $74.9 billion USD and earnings of $22.0 billion USD by 2029.