Also known as: Capvaxive, CAPVAXIVE
Capvaxive is Merck’s 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults, used as active immunization to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia caused by specified Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes. It is administered as a single intramuscular dose. FDA approval was granted in 2024, with an additional approval letter posted in July 2025.
Merck will acquire Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7 billion to bolster its cancer pipeline ahead of Keytruda's 2028 patent expiration. The deal gives Merck access to TERN-701, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia. Merck projects over $70 billion in commercial opportunities from its pipeline by the mid-2030s.
Healthcare sector surged 10% since Q4 2025, outpacing all S&P 500 sectors as investors rotate from tech to pharmaceutical value plays. Major drugmakers demonstrate resilience following Medicare price negotiations implementation.
Vaxcyte has initiated its Phase 3 adult program for VAX-31, a 31-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, with the pivotal OPUS-1 trial enrolling 4,000 adults aged 50 and older. The company plans to submit a Biologics License Application by the end of next year.
Merck stock reached a 52-week high at $122.69, rising 46.25% over 12 months and 7.4% in the past month following strong Q4 results and improved long-term pipeline outlook beyond Keytruda's 2028 patent expiration.
