Our Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results

February 3, 2026

MSD’s Q4 and full-year 2025 sales performance reflects strength across oncology and animal health, as well as increasing contributions from new launches. Our company announced Q4 worldwide sales of $16.4 billion. Full-year 2025 worldwide sales were $65.0 billion.

“In 2025, we continued to advance leading-edge science to deliver transformative medicines and vaccines that are improving health outcomes for patients around the world,” said Rob Davis, chairman and CEO. “Our business benefited from demand for our innovative portfolio, including for KEYTRUDA, increasing contributions from new launches in cardiometabolic and respiratory as well as vaccines, and strong performance of Animal Health. The transformation of our portfolio, bolstered by the acquisitions of Verona Pharma and Cidara Therapeutics, is well underway, and momentum is building as we continue to execute on our strategy. Our progress positions us to continue delivering on our purpose for patients and creating durable value for shareholders.”

MSD anticipates full-year 2026 worldwide sales to be between $65.5 billion and $67.0 billion.

Find more details on Q4 and full-year 2025 results below.

Listen to the sales and earnings call

Read the press release

4Q and full year 2025 financial highlights for MSD

Download infographic

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Innovation

5 ways we’re transforming artificial intelligence into impact

We’re applying AI across our company to help us work smarter and faster so we can reach patients sooner

January 9, 2026

At MSD, we’re in the business of knowledge, insights and innovation — rooted in intelligence.

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) — or what could also be “automated”, “accelerated” or “augmented” intelligence — lies not only in software and computer systems, but in the data, development and delivery of these intelligent tools to achieve better outcomes for patients.

Here are five ways we’re using AI to drive our purpose of saving and improving lives around the world.

01.

Accelerating the discovery of new medicines

Drug discovery remains an endeavor where only about 1 in 10 drug candidates that enter clinical trials ultimately receive regulatory approval. We’re working to change that by enabling scientists to use AI and machine learning (ML) foundation models to enhance and build upon their existing approaches to drug design before experimental testing and clinical trials.

We recently developed two foundation models which uncover patterns in disease to find better drug targets, allow faster molecular design and rapidly test small molecules, including cyclic peptides, for efficacy and toxicity before going into the clinic.

By unlocking patterns within vast datasets, these AI models enable our scientists to accelerate the discovery of leading therapeutic candidates — a process that normally takes 10 years — allowing us to potentially get therapies to patients faster without compromising scientific rigor.

02.

Optimizing clinical trials

Enrolling people in clinical trials and keeping them engaged once they’ve signed up remains a significant challenge across our industry, with approximately 20% of activated sites failing to enroll a single participant. We’re addressing this by using AI to help improve site selection, patient matching and retention. For example, predictive models can flag patients at higher risk of dropping out, enabling targeted interventions that improve retention and keep trials on track.

03.

Automating workflows to improve productivity

Our enterprise-wide training program helps employees understand the latest digital technology, including generative and agentic AI, and learn how to use it responsibly. Our proprietary AI platform — which more than 80% of our workforce uses — applies large language models to enable employees to automate, simplify and digitize processes that historically took more time, freeing us up to prioritize more impactful work.

Illustration of people looking at workflow chart

04.

Modernizing manufacturing

Generative AI helps protect our supply chain when potentially disruptive events like natural disasters or port delays occur. Our systems can produce event-based risk assessments in under 30 minutes — allowing us to quickly see which products and sites are affected and act to avoid or reduce shortages and delays.

In vaccine manufacturing, we’re using computer vision — another form of AI — to inspect vials and syringes for defects. This results in less waste, lower costs and higher production speed.

05.

Streamlining education and engagement with health care providers

We’re using AI to streamline information for providers and patients to ensure we deliver the right details to the right people when it matters most.

We’ve embedded AI across the content life cycle — from conception through medical, legal and regulatory review — so that we can organize messages more intelligently. The result: higher quality, personalized content that gets to health care providers faster.

Supporting this is our generative AI-powered chatbot for our field representatives. It summarizes relevant insights and helps us respond in real time to provider needs.

It all starts with data

Data powers AI. We have a vast repository of proprietary and secure data, but for it to be usable, it must first be structured and organized.

We’re continuously working to create a frictionless data flow so AI can reliably and accurately drive faster, more targeted and personalized outcomes.

Data is critical to our business strategy and to our pipeline. When our data is high-quality, well-manicured and organized to support powerful insights, we can make more accurate and intelligent predictions — and move faster to deliver the medicines and vaccines patients are waiting for.

Health awareness

Acting early in cancer detection

Diagnosing cancer early, before it has spread, may potentially lead to better outcomes

December 16, 2025

Time is important with a cancer diagnosis. People with cancer may have the opportunity for better outcomes when the disease is detected early. And with increases in routine cancer screening (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies, lung cancer screenings, Pap smears, etc.), more cancer cases can be diagnosed before metastasis — before the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

“We’ve seen incredible progress in the fight against cancer in recent decades, driven by advances in early detection and the availability of new treatment options,” said Dr. Gregory Lubiniecki, vice president, oncology clinical research. “This progress makes me optimistic for a future where cancer is detected and treated as early as possible, giving patients the greatest chance to live cancer-free. We can’t rest now — I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to build on what we’ve learned about helping people with earlier stages of disease.”

But important work remains to continue to improve care and diagnose cancer early.

What is early-stage cancer?

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out how much cancer is in the body and if their disease has spread — this process is called staging, which can help guide treatment decisions. Different cancer stages have different treatments and possible outcomes, and they’re associated with different odds of recurrence.

The stages of cancer

Stage 0: Cancer is localized to where it started.
Stage 1: Cancer has not grown deeply into nearby tissues.
Stage 2 and 3: Cancer has grown more deeply into nearby tissues and may involve lymph nodes, but has not spread to distant parts of the body.
Stage 4: Tumor cells have spread to other organs or distant parts of the body.

Early-stage is a term that can be used to describe cancer that’s early in its growth, before it has spread to other parts of the body. However, each person’s experience with cancer is unique, and what doctors may define as early-stage can vary by the type of cancer.

When cancer is diagnosed, the goals of treatments are to slow, stop and possibly eliminate tumor growth.

Treatment may be more likely to be successful if it’s started before the cancer has spread, when surgery is a potential option. However, even after surgery, there’s a risk that the cancer may spread to other parts of the body. Additional treatment may help lower that risk. In certain instances, other treatment options can be used before surgery (neoadjuvant) to help to reduce the size of the tumor, and/or after surgery (adjuvant) to lower the chance of the cancer from potentially coming back.

Detecting and treating cancer early may help reduce the risk of recurrence and increase the potential for survival.

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Innovation

Exploring the potential use of PET tracers in neurodegenerative disease research

MSD scientists are researching the potential of an investigational alpha-synuclein PET tracer in early identification of Parkinson’s disease

December 9, 2025

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of certain brain cells that are involved with the control of movement. Globally, the prevalence of Parkinson’s has doubled in the past 25 years with global estimates in 2019 showing over 8.5 million individuals living with PD. Most patients with Parkinson’s are diagnosed after experiencing worsening symptoms such as tremors, slow movements and gait abnormalitie

Unfortunately, by the time symptoms become apparent, a large proportion of affected brain cells have already been irreversibly damaged, making therapeutic intervention difficult. Researchers at MSD, along with the broader scientific community, are focused on exploring new ways to identify people with PD earlier in the course of their disease and to measure changes in disease progression.

Alpha-synuclein: A biomarker for Parkinson’s disease

Research evaluating the brains of people with PD has shown that abnormal clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein form as the disease progresses. Historically, the only way to evaluate the accumulation of alpha-synuclein is by analyzing brain tissue collected after a person dies.

Our scientists then asked: What if there was a way to detect the first signs of these abnormal protein deposits in the brain as a potential way to identify the early signs of PD before symptoms appear? Could we then also evaluate the potential of investigational therapies to slow disease progression?

Exploring noninvasive early detection for neurodegenerative disease

Advanced imaging technologies have helped evolve our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, in some instances leading to a better understanding of the disease and potential therapeutic options.

In PD, similar imaging techniques offer the potential of early detection and the ability to monitor disease progression. A PET tracer may offer a noninvasive method of detecting alpha-synuclein.

Our scientists are working to evaluate the potential of a PET tracer as a noninvasive way to visualize and measure alpha-synuclein, with the hope that it could lead to earlier detections of Parkinson’s disease.

“A selective PET tracer for alpha-synuclein could have a significant impact on ongoing research by providing a window into what’s happening in the brain in real time,” said Dr. Eric D. Hostetler, executive director and head of translational imaging biomarkers at MSD. “We see the potential for an advanced imaging tool that could contribute to the development of novel treatments by potentially making it easier and more effective to test whether an investigational therapy that targets alpha-synuclein in the brain is working in clinical trials.”

Our research in this area was recognized by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Ken Griffin Alpha-synuclein Imaging Competition in 2023, and our scientists are continuing important research in multiple investigational PET tracers in the central nervous system space.

“We’re evaluating the potential of this investigational PET tracer to serve as a biomarker to measure disease progression and determine whether investigational therapies are able to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease,” said Dr. Jason Uslaner, vice president and head of neuroscience discovery at MSD. “It’s all about identifying the right patient at the right time for the right medicine.”

Learn more about our research in neuroscience.

Innovation

Building trust and advancing inclusion: Our approach to clinical trials in Uganda

In Uganda, where women are disproportionately impacted by HIV, our community-based research prioritizes meeting patients where they are

November 24, 2025

Rebeca Plank, M.D., Ph.D. (right) and Joan Nabawanuka, community liaison officer at MU-JHU Care Ltd., meet with Kibuuka Yahaya Galabuzi, local leader of Katiko Fishing Village in the Mityana district

In sub-Saharan Africa, young women are three times more likely than young men to be living with HIV. Now, MSD researchers are part of a coalition of community leaders, academic organizations and NGOs working in Uganda to help ensure that clinical trials for investigational HIV medicines are designed to address this disparity — and to reflect real-world challenges in local communities. By focusing on local voices and expertise, the coalition aims to build trust, improve trial design, address barriers to study participation and engage directly with the community.

To learn more about how these efforts have shaped our HIV clinical trials in Uganda, we chatted with two members of our on-the-ground research team: Ian Bradley-Perrin, Ph.D., and Rebeca Plank, M.D., MPH.

Why is inclusion important in HIV clinical trials?

Plank: People may respond differently to the same medicine based on factors like age, gender, weight or ethnicity. By prioritizing inclusivity in HIV clinical trials, our goal is to develop treatment and prevention options that work for all people affected by HIV.

Why is it important to include women in HIV clinical research, especially in countries like Uganda?

Bradley-Perrin: Cultural expectations, gender roles and the still-too-common stigma surrounding HIV and sexual health can make it difficult for women in Uganda to take part in HIV prevention trials. Historically, women’s underrepresentation in these prevention clinical trials limited our field’s understanding of how these medicines work specifically for them.

Plank: We’ve made an effort to expand our HIV prevention clinical trials to include pregnant and breastfeeding women because there are limited late-stage data and safety information in those populations. So, it’s important to move in that direction of greater inclusivity in our trials with the goal of driving the research and development of investigational medications to make sure there are options women can access regardless of their plans for pregnancy. Today, many health care providers may be reluctant to prescribe medicines that have not been studied in pregnant and/or lactating women, and pregnant and/or lactating women may be reluctant to take these medicines.

What’s the role of local communities in HIV prevention clinical trials?

Bradley-Perrin: We’ve learned that strong collaboration is essential — and it’s been a real two-way learning process. Partners like the University of Washington’s International Clinical Research Center bring long standing experience running clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Gates Foundation is providing strategic partnership and financial support for the operational needs of each clinical research site, including things like experienced research staff, upgraded facilities, and help building new clinics. Equally important is the Global Community Advisory Group: HIV prevention advocates with a country and global perspective who give critical input on trial design, recruitment materials and will advise on study operations throughout the trial. They give us honest feedback about community concerns and help keep us accountable and connected to people’s real lives and priorities.

For example, in Mityana, a rural district west of Kampala, our team collaborated with community leaders to support a local engagement strategy that helped identify locations where women have historically had trouble accessing HIV clinical trials, like fishing villages and gold mining communities.

Plank: By going out to a gold mine that was two hours from the clinic, I better understood the complexities of reaching this community, especially over the duration of a multi-year clinical trial. Transportation was a huge barrier that needed to be addressed to make sure women wouldn’t be hindered from participating because of where they lived or their access to transportation.

What are some other ways MSD is supporting clinical trial participants?

Bradley-Perrin: Along with transportation, we prioritized support services such as child care and, when needed, home visits to help women participate in the trials.

Plank: Thanks to the Gates Foundation, ICRC and our other partners on the ground, the clinical trial team has trained local staff, updated facilities and even helped to construct new research clinics that could be used for new research projects. These practical solutions aim to increase trial participation in geographies that need innovations the most and help address some of the practical challenges participants face.

Plank and Bradley-Perrin walk with Flavia Matovu Kiweewa, MBChB, Ph.D., principal investigator of MU-JHU Care Ltd.
Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D, MSD senior principal scientist and Joyce Matovu, site hospital liaison coordinator at MU-JHU Care Ltd., tour the Namulanda Mukikadde gold mine community in the Mityana district.
A view of Namulanda Mukikadde gold mine area in the Mityana district of Uganda, where innovative clinical trials for HIV are taking place.
Godfrey Ssaka, laboratory manager at MU-JHU Care Ltd., shows Susan Vaz, a clinical research manager at our company, around the lab.
MSD’s community-based research in Uganda prioritizes fostering trust and creating conditions to encourage inclusive trial participation.

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Patients

This red chair is a reminder that patients can’t wait

Colleagues rally around a red chair as a reminder to work urgently for the people who need lifesaving medicines and vaccines

November 18, 2025

When his close colleague’s father passed away in 2021, it was a stark reminder to Prashant Nikam: Patients can’t wait for lifesaving medicines and vaccines. Spurred by this loss, Nikam and his colleagues in Australia and New Zealand created a visual reminder of the people we’re working for: They put a red chair in their meeting room and asked, “What if the patient was sitting right here with us?”

“Every day, someone’s relying on us. We need to make sure we’re doing everything possible so they can have access to our products in a timely manner.”

Prashant Nikam
Managing director, Japan

“When we see that red chair in our workspace, when we envision that patient being in the room listening to us, we make decisions that are truly focused on doing what’s best for them,” said Nikam, now managing director, Japan.

The red chair: an urgent reminder to elevate the patient voice

What started as a simple but powerful concept in Australia and New Zealand has now grown into a rallying cry at our sites around the world, due in part to support from Linda Kollmar, AVP of our patient innovation and engagement team.

“People are urgently waiting for us to get our drugs and vaccines approved where they live, for access, for a prescription,” said Kollmar. “So, it’s more than just a red chair; it’s a mindset. And it transforms the way we work to ensure we’re keeping patients front and center.” 

The initiative now spans more than 40 of our global locations, where colleagues across the company have placed a chair representing the patient in boardrooms, conference rooms, labs, cafeterias and other workspaces.

“When I’m thinking about a decision I’m making or work I’m doing, I think, ‘What if the patient was sitting right next to me? What would they be thinking and how would they want me to work with urgency for them?’”

Linda Kollmar
AVP, patient innovation and engagement

image of a red chair with a soft light shining on it

It’s an initiative that complements the work of her team, which engages with patients, patient advocates and communities to learn more about their perspectives, challenges and needs. The team brings that patient voice into the work we do — from discovery and clinical development to manufacturing and beyond. The chair is an additional, physical reminder to always think of the patient.

A growing grassroots effort inspires new ways to put patients first

a collage of red chairs in many different office locations, such as lab, conference room, lobby, workspace, etc.

“As we started spreading the word about the red chair and hearing success stories from different teams, we realized that this is really a movement at a grassroots level that people can embrace to inspire them to put patients first,” Nikam said.

One of those first success stories came from the market access team in Australia, who wanted to help speed up the long approval process for a new medicine.

“Envisioning the patient in the room with them, the team brainstormed ways to highlight the urgency of the situation. They decided that in addition to bringing the safety, efficacy and economic data into their health technology assessment submissions, they would also bring the patient voice to the health authorities,” said Nikam. “So, they collected patient commentaries — inspiring and emotional stories of what it means to be a patient and without timely access to innovative medicines — and included these with our new submissions. These patient stories were overwhelmingly powerful firsthand accounts that authorities couldn’t ignore.”

A history and a future of putting patients first

This longstanding commitment to patients can be traced back to our company’s beginnings more than 130 years ago. In 1925, then-president George W. Merck said, “We try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It is not for the profits.”

That ethos continues to inspire us today. The red chair is one way we maintain our focus, but it’s a sentiment that’s important for all who serve patients to embrace.

“It’s not just for us. It’s bigger than us,” said Kollmar. “I would love to see more red chairs representing patients all over the globe. That would be incredible.”

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Innovation

Our Q3 2025 financial results

October 30, 2025

MSD’s Q3 2025 sales performance reflects strength across oncology and animal health, as well as increasing contributions from new launches. Our company announced Q3 worldwide sales of $17.3 billion.

“In the third quarter, we continued to execute on our strategy with important pipeline advancements, significant approvals and successful new product launches,” said Rob Davis, chairman and CEO. “We’re delivering value to patients and customers through our innovative portfolio of medicines and vaccines, and we’re securing our future by making important investments in our pipeline – including through compelling, strategic business development like our completed acquisition of Verona Pharma and expanded U.S. manufacturing and R&D spending. With each milestone we achieve, my conviction that we’re well-positioned to drive the next chapter of success for our company increases.”

MSD anticipates full-year 2025 worldwide sales to be between $64.5 billion and $65.0 billion.

Take a look at the infographic below for more details on Q3 2025 results.

Listen to the sales and earnings call

Read the press release

Download infographic

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Patients

More treatment options mean more flexibility for people with cancer

Additional treatment options can help patients make time for their health and their priorities

October 28, 2025

young woman standing in the kitchen with her arm around an older woman and a man standing and smiling

Every person diagnosed with cancer is unique. That’s why it’s so important for patients to have more treatment options, including ones that for some patients could be given in different care settings that are closer to home. This may give them flexibility and potentially allows them to have more time to care for their health.

Understand cancer treatment options

Advances in cancer treatment are happening every day and therapeutic options are continuously expanding. The right cancer treatment for a given patient depends on many factors including the type of cancer they have, the stage of their cancer and their overall health. Some common options include:

Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Targeted therapy
Immunotherapy
Surgery

Each of these types of cancer treatment work in a unique way to help treat the disease. Certain treatments also can be delivered in different ways, including but not limited to:

Orally: Via a pill or something taken by mouth
Topically: Applied to the surface of the skin
Intravenously: Administered through a needle or tube inserted into a vein (also called an infusion, when the medication is delivered over a specified period of time)
Subcutaneous injection: Via a needle inserted directly into the fatty tissue layer between the skin and muscle — or right under your skin

As additional treatment options become available, patients and caregivers are more likely to be able to consider which treatment option works best for their condition, lifestyle and preferences.

Researchers are exploring how to make treatment more flexible

Traditionally, some therapies have been administered only in hospitals and infusion clinics, often requiring patients to travel for their care, which can be time-consuming and burdensome. Once patients arrive, there are multiple steps health care providers must take in preparing for and administering treatment and observing the patient afterwards. A treatment day can be long when you consider the time from when patients leave their homes to the time they return from treatment.

Recent research has led to options that may allow for treatment to be administered subcutaneously rather than intravenously, making it possible for patients to receive treatment in more health care settings such as a doctor’s office or a community-based care center. With more choices available, patients have options that may allow them to personalize their treatment approach based on their specific lifestyle needs, so they can focus on other things that matter to them. These options may also provide additional flexibility and time savings for health care providers and systems.

Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza
Vice president of global clinical development, MSD

“Time is one of the most valuable resources we all have, and at MSD we believe in prioritizing health so we can embrace every moment.”

Dr. M. Catherine Pietanza
Vice president of global clinical development, MSD

“Cancer is not a one-size-fits-all disease, so it’s important that health care providers are able to offer treatment options that allow patients more flexibility,” said Pietanza.

Make time for your health — and the other parts of your life, too

Roz Faulhaber, a school counselor who had colorectal cancer, discovered firsthand the challenges of finding enough hours in the day to make time for everything following a cancer diagnosis.

“Receiving cancer treatment while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in my life has been very challenging at times. I commute several hours to my treatment center and once I get there, the treatment itself can take hours. I want to spend more of my day with my grandchildren or relaxing at our beach home,” said Faulhaber.

“Discussing my treatment options with my doctor has been crucial — they’ve helped me select a care plan that best meets my needs, and we continue to discuss options that could give me time back in my day and flexibility.”

Roz Faulhaber

Patients should talk to their health care provider about treatment options, including methods of administration and dosing schedules, that fit their needs and may provide them with more flexibility

Learn about our oncology research.

Health awareness

From awareness to action: understanding triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Early detection is important for this aggressive type of breast cancer. Learn more about the risk factors, signs and symptoms of TNBC.

October 28, 2025

There are many different types and subtypes of breast cancer — defined by where it starts in the breast, how much it has grown or spread and how it behaves. One of the more aggressive and difficult-to-treat types is triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and knowing the facts is one of the most important steps in a patient’s cancer journey.

What is TNBC?

Breast cancer tumors may be tested for three receptors, or proteins, that make cancer grow. A TNBC diagnosis is made when the tumor tests negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors and does not over express HER2.

TNBC differs from other types of invasive breast cancer, as it tends to grow and spread faster, with a worse prognosis for patients. It also has a high likelihood of recurrence.

Who’s at risk of developing TNBC?

While TNBC can affect anyone, some people may be at higher risk. Factors that make someone more likely to be diagnosed with TNBC include:

Sex: People assigned female at birth are at higher risk for TNBC compared to people assigned male at birth
Race/ethnicity: TNBC disproportionately impacts Black women
Age: TNBC is more common in women younger than 40
Genetic mutations: Mutations in certain genes are associated with TNBC

What are the signs and symptoms of TNBC?

TNBC may have the same signs and symptoms as other common types of breast cancer, though most breast cancers are detected before symptoms appear through regular screenings.

Possible signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include:

A new breast lump or mass
Swelling of all or part of a breast
Skin dimpling
Breast or nipple pain
Nipple retraction
Nipple or breast skin that’s red, dry, flaking or thickened
Nipple discharge
Swollen lymph nodes, under the arm or near the collar bone

Doctor and patient look at computer screen

Our commitment to access to health

Navigating breast cancer, especially aggressive types like TNBC, can be daunting and for some — overwhelming. However, access to information and the right tools and resources can contribute to a more equitable patient journey for those impacted. By equipping patients to make better informed decisions, we can help them to advocate and determine the best path forward.

Early detection of breast cancer isn’t just important — it could be life-saving. That’s why we’re focused on helping women get the care they need.

— Josette Gbemudu

AVP, patient health innovation.

“We focus our work on making the most impact for patients — from advancing science to help patients living with this condition to creating patient-friendly education materials. We’re committed to the needs of people living with breast cancer, globally,” said Karen Lisa Smith, senior principal scientist.

Learn more about our commitment to expanding access to health.

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We’re ‘seeing green’ and building a more sustainable business

Understanding the health risks of high LDL cholesterol

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Health awareness

A call to action: Lowering LDL cholesterol

See how a grandfather's heart attack sparked a journey toward lowering his LDL cholesterol level

October 28, 2025

“Life is short. It can change any second,” John Bald said he realized when his ski trip ended in the hospital.

While on the slopes several years ago, Bald, a father of three and grandfather of three, started to feel chest pain. What he thought was heartburn kept getting worse with each run.

“When I finally got to the hospital, I ran to the emergency window, and by the time I got to the window, I almost collapsed,” Bald said.

His doctors discovered he was having a heart attack. They found a 95% blockage of his right coronary artery, a common sign of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and he later learned he had high levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol.

The blockage was cleared, and Bald received a stent in his heart to keep his artery open and improve blood flow to the rest of his body. As someone who had been active and relatively healthy, he was surprised by his diagnosis.

What is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?

ASCVD is a condition caused by the buildup of plaque (bad cholesterol, fats and other substances) within the arteries, leading to narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can result in serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. ASCVD includes diseases that can narrow or block arteries in your heart, legs, and/or brain.

The risks of high cholesterol

Bald learned his high LDL cholesterol put him at an increased risk of a future heart attack or stroke.

A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of several risk factors that can contribute to the development of ASCVD. Plaques can silently build up in arteries over time, which may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Bald and his doctor came up with a treatment plan to manage his cholesterol. These conversations with his doctor, in addition to medication and lifestyle changes, helped Bald lower his risk of future cardiovascular events. It also prompted his adult family members to understand their own cardiovascular risk.

Today, Bald savors every minute splashing in the pool with his three grandchildren.

Watch above to learn more about John Bald’s journey to lowering his LDL cholesterol.

Our Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results

5 ways we’re transforming artificial intelligence into impact

Here are five ways we’re using AI to drive our purpose of saving and improving lives around the world.

Accelerating the discovery of new medicines

Optimizing clinical trials

Automating workflows to improve productivity

Modernizing manufacturing

Streamlining education and engagement with health care providers

It all starts with data

Acting early in cancer detection

What is early-stage cancer?

The stages of cancer

Exploring the potential use of PET tracers in neurodegenerative disease research

Alpha-synuclein: A biomarker for Parkinson’s disease

Exploring noninvasive early detection for neurodegenerative disease

Building trust and advancing inclusion: Our approach to clinical trials in Uganda

Why is inclusion important in HIV clinical trials?

Why is it important to include women in HIV clinical research, especially in countries like Uganda?

What’s the role of local communities in HIV prevention clinical trials?

What are some other ways MSD is supporting clinical trial participants?

This red chair is a reminder that patients can’t wait

“Every day, someone’s relying on us. We need to make sure we’re doing everything possible so they can have access to our products in a timely manner.”

The red chair: an urgent reminder to elevate the patient voice

“When I’m thinking about a decision I’m making or work I’m doing, I think, ‘What if the patient was sitting right next to me? What would they be thinking and how would they want me to work with urgency for them?’”

A growing grassroots effort inspires new ways to put patients first

A history and a future of putting patients first

Our Q3 2025 financial results

More treatment options mean more flexibility for people with cancer

Understand cancer treatment options

Researchers are exploring how to make treatment more flexible

“Time is one of the most valuable resources we all have, and at MSD we believe in prioritizing health so we can embrace every moment.”

Make time for your health — and the other parts of your life, too

“Discussing my treatment options with my doctor has been crucial — they’ve helped me select a care plan that best meets my needs, and we continue to discuss options that could give me time back in my day and flexibility.”

From awareness to action: understanding triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

What is TNBC?

Who’s at risk of developing TNBC?

What are the signs and symptoms of TNBC?

Our commitment to access to health

Early detection of breast cancer isn’t just important — it could be life-saving. That’s why we’re focused on helping women get the care they need.

A call to action: Lowering LDL cholesterol

What is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)?

The risks of high cholesterol

Talk to your doctor about your LDL cholesterol level and risk of ASCVD.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA