Leerink Partners analyst Daina Graybosch has maintained their bullish stance on MRK stock, giving a Buy rating yesterday.
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Daina Graybosch has given her Buy rating due to a combination of factors related to Merck’s strategic position in the competitive landscape of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for treating extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The recent update from the World Conference on Lung Cancer highlighted Merck’s I-DXd as having a significant first-to-market advantage, despite other competitors showing similar efficacy levels. This advantage is attributed to the larger and more globally diverse patient population in Merck’s studies, which supports their plans for accelerated approval.
Graybosch also notes that while other ADCs have demonstrated comparable efficacy, the lack of clear clinical differentiation among competitors means that Merck’s head start in development could translate into a substantial commercial lead. The anticipated FDA approval in the coming years positions Merck to outperform competitors in the market, particularly in community settings where certain treatment adoption barriers exist. This strategic foresight and market positioning underpin Graybosch’s Buy rating for Merck’s stock.
According to TipRanks, Graybosch is an analyst with an average return of -13.4% and a 35.66% success rate. Graybosch covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Gilead Sciences, Summit Therapeutics, and Merck & Company.
In another report released yesterday, TR | OpenAI – 4o also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $96.00 price target.