Merck & Co., Inc.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈNew York Stock Exchange
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Bullish +65

Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: IMAX, Merck, Estee Lauder & more - CNBC

πŸ“ˆ Merck shares jumped nearly 3.5% in premarket trading following a major clinical trial success.

πŸ”¬ The phase 3 study for its lung cancer treatment showed a 65% reduction in tumor progression risk.

🀝 The positive data validates the partnership between Merck and Chinese-based Kelun-Biotech.

πŸ“… The news was reported on Friday, May 22, 2026, as part of a broader premarket market update.

πŸ’Š The clinical result specifically targets lung cancer patients, enhancing Merck's oncology division.

Bullish Signals
  • Merck received a significant share price increase of almost 3.5% driven by strong clinical trial data.
  • The phase 3 study demonstrated a substantial 65% reduction in tumor progression risk for the lung cancer treatment.
  • The successful partnership with Kelun-Biotech is being validated by these positive efficacy results.
  • Investors reacted positively to the confirmation that the drug meets its primary endpoint of reducing tumor progression.
Full Analysis
Merck (MRK) shares rose approximately 3.5% in premarket trading following positive data from a phase 3 clinical study for its lung cancer treatment developed in partnership with Kelun-Biotech. The study results indicated that the therapy reduced tumor progression risk by 65%, marking a significant milestone for the pharmaceutical company's pipeline and validating the collaboration. This news emerged alongside broader market activity where other major companies like Estee Lauder, Workday, and Zoom also saw share price increases due to earnings beats or strategic updates. However, Merck's specific gain was directly attributed to the clinical trial success which strengthens its oncology portfolio and potential future revenue streams. The article serves as a premarket roundup covering various sectors including technology, retail, and healthcare, but highlights Merck's specific performance driven by the lung cancer drug data. The positive sentiment reflects investor confidence in the efficacy of the new treatment and the strategic value of the partnership with the Chinese biotech firm.