Merck CEO Rob Davis shared with CNBC his expectation that the breakthrough cancer vaccine developed in partnership with Moderna will become faster to manufacture over time. Currently, the vaccine’s production takes about six weeks, covering the process from tumor sequencing to hospital delivery. Davis emphasized that while the system is complex due to the personalized nature of the vaccine—designed to target individual tumor mutations—the process is refined and tightly controlled. The goal is to shorten this timeline in the future to provide quicker access to patients.

The personalized vaccine works by training the immune system to recognize unique cancer markers, complementing Merck’s Keytruda immunotherapy, which boosts the body's ability to fight cancer. Davis said the company is confident in its capability to deliver the vaccine efficiently, pointing to ongoing clinical trials and improvements underway. The vaccine recently showed promising late-stage trial results in melanoma and is being tested in other cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. While a full cure remains a goal, Davis noted the progress represents a significant advance in cancer treatment technology.

Merck also inaugurated a new 120,000-square-foot research facility called Advance in West Point, Pennsylvania. The facility, equipped with advanced robotics and AI systems, aims to enhance the company’s biological research and streamline drug development processes. This expansion supports Merck’s broader strategy as it prepares for the eventual loss of exclusivity on Keytruda, the company’s top cancer drug, whose core U.S. patent expires in December 2028. Merck is leveraging both internal innovation and external acquisitions, investing $65 billion over five years to diversify its drug pipeline.

Despite robust development efforts, Merck faces legal challenges, particularly over Keytruda’s newer subcutaneous version in Europe, where a court blocked its sale due to patent disputes with Halozyme Therapeutics. Halozyme has also filed patent infringement claims against Merck in the U.S. Meanwhile, Merck is advancing other products, including Winrevair for a rare lung disease and Lipfendra, a newly FDA-approved cholesterol medication. These launches reflect the company’s multi-pronged approach to sustaining growth beyond Keytruda’s patent timeline.