5 Biggest Immunotherapy Companies in the World

2. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK)

Market Capitalization: $297.18 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 77

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is a Rahway, New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company. The company’s immunotherapy program is focused on the creation of checkpoint inhibitors and other types of immunotherapies. Merck & Co., Inc.’s (NYSE:MRK) key checkpoint inhibitor is pembrolizumab, which has been approved for the treatment of several different types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is also involved in the formulation of therapies for infectious diseases, including HIV and COVID-19. The company has created several COVID-19 treatments, including the antiviral drug molnupiravir, which has been authorized for emergency use in the US.

Here’s what Aristotle Capital Management, LLC said about Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in its Q4 2022 investor letter:

“Founded in 1891 and headquartered in New Jersey, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is one the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. The company’s drugs are used to treat conditions in a variety of areas, including oncology (~38% of revenue), vaccines (~19%), diabetes (~11%), animal health (~11%) and other (~21%). Merck produced over $48 billion in sales in 2021, just under half of which were generated in the United States. Within oncology, the firm’s immuno-oncology platform is becoming a major contributor to overall sales, driven by the blockbuster1 drug Keytruda. The company’s vaccine business is also significant and includes Gardasil for the prevention of HPV (the disease that can lead to cervical cancer in women), as well as vaccines for hepatitis B, pediatric diseases and shingles. In recent years, Merck has been shifting its focus toward unmet medical needs in specialty-care areas. As part of this shift in focus, in June 2021, Merck received $9 billion from the spinoff of its women’s health, established brands, and biosimilars businesses into the now independent, publicly traded company Organon…” (Click here to read the full text)