Leerink Raises Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) Price Target, Sees Upside from Cancer Drug

Group 1 - Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is recognized as one of the 14 safe stocks for a starter portfolio, indicating its stability and potential for growth [1] - Leerink Partners has raised its price target for Merck to $129 from $128, emphasizing the growth potential of the cancer drug belzutifan [1] - In fiscal year 2025, Merck reported $603 million in sales from belzutifan in the US and an additional $113 million internationally, with a consensus estimate of peak sales around $2.6 billion [2] - The Phase 3 LITESPARK-011 and LITESPARK-022 studies for belzutifan have shown promising results, particularly for adjuvant clear cell renal cell carcinoma [3] - The FDA is expected to approve the belzutifan plus lenvatinib combination therapy by October 2026, which could enhance its market presence [3] Group 2 - Merck operates in the healthcare sector, providing human health pharmaceuticals, veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions [3]