Bond.az reports that Merck stock surged nearly 4.7% in morning trading after a pivotal Phase 3 study — the OptiTROP-Lung05 trial — delivered positive interim results showing that the combination of sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT) alongside Keytruda demonstrated superior efficacy versus Keytruda monotherapy in treating non-small cell lung cancer.
Adding to the positive momentum, Merck reported first-quarter 2026 earnings that surpassed analyst expectations for both earnings per share and revenue, and raised its full-year revenue guidance, reflecting strong operational performance, particularly in its oncology segment.
On the regulatory front, the EMA's CHMP issued a positive opinion recommending approval of Keytruda combined with Padcev for cisplatin-ineligible resectable muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with a final European Commission decision expected by Q3 2026.
The broader market environment is supportive, with the S&P 500 up 0.5%, Dow Jones up 0.7%, and NASDAQ up 0.5%. Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with an average rating of 'Buy' from 29 analysts and a 12-month consensus price target of $129.74.
