Merck & Co. stock: Efinopegdutide trial enrolled 386 patients

Published on 11/13/2026 at 16:11 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Merck & Co. stock remains in focus after new detail on efinopegdutide's mid-stage liver disease study. The candidate is not yet approved.

Efinopegdutide adds pipeline detail

Merck said the Phase 2b study met its primary endpoint for MASH resolution without worsening fibrosis.
The investigational treatment is being developed under an exclusive licensing agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical.
Safety findings included gastrointestinal side effects and treatment discontinuations across the dose groups.

Merck & Co., US58933Y1055, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Merck & Co. said on November 9 that its Phase 2b study of investigational efinopegdutide met its primary endpoint in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and stage F2 or F3 liver fibrosis. The company said the results were presented at The Liver Meeting and published in The Lancet.

Merck & Co. stock traded at 132.06 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 16:04 CET on Friday, November 13, 2026, 1.30% below the Xetra close of Thursday, November 12, at 133.80 euros.

Study completion adds context

The study enrolled 386 adults with biopsy-confirmed MASH and stage F2 or F3 fibrosis, while 92% of randomized participants completed the trial. Efinopegdutide is a once-weekly injectable co-agonist targeting GLP-1 and glucagon receptors and remains an investigational treatment.

At 52 weeks, MASH resolution without worsening of fibrosis occurred in 56%, 63% and 61% of participants receiving the 4 mg, 7 mg and 10 mg doses, respectively, compared with 13% for placebo. Improvement of at least one fibrosis stage without worsening of steatohepatitis occurred in 43%, 52% and 34% of the three dose groups, versus 21% for placebo.

Safety remains an investor focus

The safety profile was generally consistent with semaglutide, according to Merck. Nausea increased across the efinopegdutide dose groups, and discontinuations caused by adverse events were highest at the 10 mg dose. The data support continued development but do not establish regulatory approval or commercial success.