FDA approves Merck's Keytruda combo for early-stage kidney cancer, boosting Q1 sales to $8.23B.

The FDA recently approved Merck's Keytruda and Keytruda Qlex combined with Welireg for treating earlier-stage clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a type of kidney cancer. This drug combination contributed to $8.23 billion in sales for Merck in Q1, marking a 12.1% increase year-over-year. Looking ahead, the second half of 2026 is expected to bring several catalysts for Merck, supported by ongoing research and development achievements. This approval and strong sales growth highlight Merck's promising risk/reward profile for investors.