MRK

Merck exec says company is discussing use of COVID antiviral drug in Ebola response

Published: Jun 1, 2026   |  Read Original Article ↗

Article Summary

HOLD
  • Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRCK) is in discussions with global health authorities about making its COVID antiviral pill molnupiravir available as an Ebola treatment to address widening outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, senior executive told Reuters.
  • The outbreak has so far infected a suspected 1,100 people and resulted in 42 deaths, involving rare strain of Bundibugyo for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
  • The pill, developed by the New Jersey-based drugmaker along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and sold under brand Lagevrio, was approved for emergency use by FDA during pandemic for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults at high risk for severe disease.
  • Although not an approved Ebola treatment, the drug has shown some efficacy against Ebola in animal studies and could be useful to prevent Ebola infections in high-risk individuals, though not recommended for use during pregnancy.
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Growth Stock Metric Rating
MRK Rating
38.0
SELL

Growth Stock Scoring Breakdown

METRIC VALUE WEIGHT ANALYSIS
Sales Growth TTM ? 2.7% 25% 20.0 ptsMinimal (2.7%) - Very weak
EPS Growth Next 5Y ? 6.0% 25% 20.0 ptsWeak (6.0%) - Low expectations
Target Price Upside ? 14.1% 20% 50.0 ptsMeets Minimum (14.1%) - Target: $131.83 vs Current: $115.53
Gross Margin % ? 73.4% 15% 100.0 ptsExceptional (73.4%) - Strong pricing power
Drawdown from 52-Wk High ? -7.7% 15% 20.0 ptsBarely a Dip (-7.7%) - Near recent highs
Disclaimer: This rating is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. All data sourced from Finviz. Always conduct your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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About MRK

Healthcare Drug Manufacturers - General 73,000 employees Rahway, NJ, United States
  • Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
  • It offers human health pharmaceutical for various areas under the Keytruda, Keytruda Qlex, Welireg, Gardasil, ProQuad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Vaxneuvance, Capvaxive, RotaTeq, Pneumovax 23, Bridion, Prevymis, Dificid, Zerbaxa, Winrevair, Adempas/ Verquvo, Ohtuvayre, Lagevrio, Isentress/Isentress HD, Delstrigo, Pifeltro, Belsomra, Januvia, and Janumet brands.
  • The company also provides veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services, such as livestock products under the Nuflor, Bovilis/Vista, Bovilis Cryptium, Banamine, Estrumate, Matrix, Resflor, Zuprevo, Revalor, Safe-Guard, M+Pac, Porcilis, Circumvent, Nobilis/Innovax, Paracox and Coccivac, Exzolt, Slice, Imvixa, Clynav, Aquavac/Norvax, Aquaflor, Flexolt brands; Allflex Livestock Intelligence solutions; and companion animal products under the Bravecto One-Month, Bravecto Injectable/Quantum, Bravecto TriUNO, Bravecto Plus, Sentinel Spectrum, Sentinel Flavor Tabs, Numelvi, Optimmune, Nobivac NXT, GilvetMab, Otomax, Mometamax, Mometamax Ultra, Posatex, Caninsulin/Vetsulin, Panacur, Safeguard, Regumate, Prestige, Scalibor/Exspot, Sure Petcare, and Home Again brands.
  • It has development and commercialization agreement for three of Daiichi Sankyo's deruxtecan ADC candidates; AstraZeneca PLC to co-development and co-commercialize AstraZeneca's Lynparza products for multiple cancer types; licensed to develop, manufacture and commercialize LM-299, a novel investigational PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody from LaNova; and collaboration agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd., Bayer AG, and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, as well Moderna, Inc.
  • Merck & Co., Inc. has strategic collaboration with Infinimmune, Inc. to discover and develop antibodies against multiple therapeutic targets.
  • The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey.
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