Phases, active trials: Phase 1: 33, Phase 1/2: 35, Phase 2: 58, Phase 2/3: 8, Phase 3: 101, Phase 4: 3, No phase listed: 2
Merck (known as MSD outside the US) operates the world's most commercially successful immuno-oncology franchise, built around Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. Keytruda has over 1,600 clinical trials registered globally, more than any single drug in history. In addition to Keytruda combinations, Merck is advancing next-generation IO programs including LAG-3, TIGIT, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies. In oncology beyond IO, Welireg (belzutifan) for HIF-2α-driven cancers (VHL disease, RCC) represents a new mechanism. Their infectious disease pipeline includes RSV vaccines, HIV treatments, and next-generation HPV-related programs.
- Immuno-oncology (PD-1 combinations)
- Next-generation IO (LAG-3, TIGIT, TIL)
- Solid tumors across all major indications
- Infectious disease / vaccines
- Rare metabolic disease (VHL, HIF-2α)
- Keytruda (pembrolizumab): PD-1 checkpoint, pan-tumor
- Welireg (belzutifan): HIF-2α, RCC/VHL disease
- MK-2870 (sacituzumab tirumotecan): TROP2 ADC
- Ladiratuzumab vedotin: LIV-1 ADC (breast/urothelial)
- MK-1308 (quavonlimab): CTLA-4
- Islatravir: HIV NRTTI
A primary completion date pushed out, enrollment cut, or a primary endpoint changed in the last 90 days. Active trials only.
| Trial | Warning signs | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Study of Patritumab Deruxtecan With Other Anticancer Agents in Participants… NCT06686394 | Primary completion moved at least 2 years 3 months later Primary endpoint(s) modified | Recruiting |
22 more on the Trials at Risk page. See which trials →
Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials with a primary completion date in the next 180 days, as ClinicalTrials.gov estimates it today. Active trials only.
| Trial | Scheduled | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Study of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in Combination With Adjuvant Chemotherapy With… NCT04634877 | Nov 20, 2026 · Estimated | Phase 3 |
17 more on the Completions page. See the calendar →
Monitor the Merck (MSD) pipeline daily
Get a daily digest when Merck (MSD) registers new trials or updates existing protocols. Free plan, no credit card required.
Start monitoring free| Condition / indication | Active trials |
|---|---|
| Healthy | 15 |
| Malignant Neoplasm | 11 |
| Non-small Cell Lung Cancer | 10 |
| Advanced Solid Tumors | 8 |
| Renal Cell Carcinoma | 8 |
| Bladder Cancer | 6 |
| Breast Neoplasms | 6 |
| Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung | 6 |
Merck registers more new trials per month than any other industry sponsor. The Keytruda combination engine alone accounts for dozens of new trial registrations annually across tumor types. Competitive intelligence professionals covering any solid tumor must monitor Merck's pipeline.
DataLookout monitors ClinicalTrials.gov daily and surfaces changes to Merck (MSD)'s registered studies: new trial registrations, status transitions (for example "Not yet recruiting" to "Recruiting"), site additions, and protocol amendments. This is the intelligence layer that bridges the gap between quarterly investor calls and day-to-day pipeline developments.
- Sponsor normalization: Merck (MSD) may register trials under multiple legal entity names. DataLookout normalizes all related entities to a single canonical sponsor for complete pipeline coverage.
- Daily updates: ClinicalTrials.gov is queried each morning. New registrations and updates appear in that day's digest.
- Field-level change detection: Status changes, enrollment updates, and site additions are detected and surfaced, not just new registrations.
- Phase filtering: Focus on Phase 3 pivotal trials, Phase 2 proof-of-concept studies, or all phases for comprehensive coverage.
- Indication filtering: Combine sponsor monitoring with indication keywords to focus on the therapeutic areas relevant to your business.
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Get started free| Trial | Status | Latest tracked change | Seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frespaciguat (MK-5475) INSIGNIA-PH-COPD: A Study of the Efficacy and Safety of… NCT05612035 | Active, Not Recruiting | Study completion moved earlier from Oct 8, 2029 to May 1, 2027 | 2026-11-14 |
| A Clinical Trial of Bomedemstat in Participants With Polycythemia Vera… NCT07722611 | Recruiting | Trial sites expanded: 5 → 8 locations | 2026-11-14 |
| A Clinical Trial of MK-1045 in People With B-cell Cancer (MK-1045-006) NCT07709000 | Recruiting | Trial sites expanded: 7 → 10 locations | 2026-11-14 |
| A Clinical Study of Raludotatug Deruxtecan in People With Ovarian Cancer… NCT06843447 | Recruiting | Trial sites expanded: 39 → 42 locations | 2026-11-14 |
| A Clinical Study of MK-1045 in People With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (MK-1045-008) NCT07519772 | Recruiting | Trial sites expanded: 52 → 56 locations | 2026-11-14 |
Each trial page shows every change DataLookout has recorded for that trial.