Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) presented new data for its investigational Alzheimer's therapies MK-2214 and MK-1167 at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) 2025 in San Diego.
Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia, affecting about seven million people in the U.S., with cases projected to double to 14 million by 2060. Patients experience progressive loss of memory, thinking skills, and independence, underscoring the urgent need for new treatments.
MK-2214, a novel antibody targeting phosphorylated serine 413 (pS413) tau, showed favorable safety and pharmacokinetics in three Phase 1 studies, including patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The program has advanced into a Phase 2 trial and received FDA Fast Track designation.
MK-1167, an oral modulator of the alpha-7 (a7) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, demonstrated effects on glutamate metabolism in a Phase 1 first-in-human study of healthy volunteers. These results informed dose selection for an ongoing Phase 2 trial in patients with mild-to moderate Alzheimer's dementia on donepezil therapy, a standard treatment that helps improve memory and cognition by enhancing cholinergic function in the brain.
Dr. Mike Egan, VP of neuroscience at Merck Research Laboratories, said the findings highlight progress in Merck's Alzheimer's pipeline and reflect new therapeutic approaches to one of the greatest neurological challenges.
Merck will present MK-2214 data on December 1- 2, 2025 and MK-1167 data on December 3, 2025. Both programs are part of Merck's broader neuroscience portfolio.
MRK is currently trading in the pre-market at $103.36, down 1.40%. Over the past 12 months the stock has traded between $73.31 to $105.84.
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