Merck Stock Soars to Record High on Positive Melanoma Trial Results
Merck & Co., Inc.'s (US58933Y1055) stock has reached record heights in August 2026, buoyed by positive results from a pivotal melanoma trial. The combination of intismeran autogene, an individualized mRNA-based cancer therapy, and Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug, showed significant improvements in recurrence-free survival and distant-metastasis-free survival compared to Keytruda alone.
The INTerpath-001 study enrolled 1,137 patients with completely resected stage IIB to IV melanoma. The results demonstrate that adding intismeran to Keytruda lengthened the time before melanoma returned or new tumors appeared elsewhere. Five-year data from a smaller study showed a 49% reduction in melanoma recurrence or metastasis compared to Keytruda alone.
The stock has gained 45% year-to-date and advanced 19% over the prior month, outpacing a key biotechnology exchange-traded fund that rose 15% over the same period. Merck's shares trade at $156.45, well above an intrinsic value estimate of $119.94.