Merck said Friday that the European Medicines Agency's scientific advisory panel, which reviews medicines before the European Commission decides on approval, issued a favorable recommendation for its drug Welireg (belzutifan) used together with lenvatinib, the company announced via Business Wire.
What happened
Merck announced via Business Wire that the European Medicines Agency's expert panel recommended approval of Welireg (belzutifan) used together with lenvatinib for adult patients with advanced kidney cancer featuring a clear cell component who had previously been treated with an anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 immunotherapy. The company described Welireg as its first-in-class oral HIF-2α (hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha) inhibitor. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, according to the release.
How the stock has moved
MRK traded at $147.12 in pre-market trading, up 0.12% from Thursday's close of $146.95, which is also roughly its move since the report was first published.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Price, pre-market trading | $147.12 |
| Since the close before the first report (Thursday, November 12, 2026) | +0.12% |
| Change from the close on Thursday, November 12, 2026 | +0.12% |
| Market value at the close on Thursday, November 12, 2026 | $362.27 billion |
Source: Stock quote; the close before the first report from our saved closes · as of November 13, 2026 at 6:48 AM ET · Shows what the stock did after the news was first reported, not why.
Its suppliers and customers
Company filings list Verona Pharma, Sidera Therapeutics and Doctor Fultz Pharma as suppliers to Merck; none of the three, which are not listed on a major exchange, has recorded a trade since its last close.
| Company | Role | Stock | Since last close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verona Pharma | Supplier | Not listed | — |
| Sidera Therapeutics | Supplier | Not listed | — |
| Doctor Fultz Pharma | Supplier | Not listed | — |
Source: Relationships named in company filings (Earnings call transcript); stock quotes · as of November 13, 2026 at 6:48 AM ET · A supplier or customer moving the same day is not evidence that one move caused the other.