Merck Surges to 69th in Trading Volume with $1.587 Billion Turnover Amid Promising Trial Results

On May 30, 2025, Merck (MRK) saw a significant increase in trading volume, with a turnover of $1.587 billion, marking a 92.86% rise from the previous day. This surge placed Merck at the 69th position in terms of trading volume for the day. The stock price of Merck rose by 0.58%, marking the second consecutive day of gains, with a total increase of 0.88% over the past two days.

Merck recently announced promising results from the Phase 1 KANDLELIT-001 trial for MK-1084, an investigational KRAS G12C inhibitor. The trial demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with advanced colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors harbor KRAS G12C mutations. This development is significant as it highlights the potential of MK-1084 as a monotherapy and in combination with other treatments for specific patient groups with KRAS G12C-mutant solid tumors.

Additionally, Merck and Daiichi Sankyo have voluntarily withdrawn their biologics license application (BLA) for patritumab deruxtecan, an antibody-drug conjugate for previously treated EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. This decision was made after the HERTHENA-Lung02 phase III study showed that the drug did not achieve a statistically significant overall survival benefit. The withdrawal is not related to manufacturing issues but rather to the efficacy results of the study.