Merck registers two new Phase 1/2 trials; KEYVIBE-005 results remain on record

Merck's weekly activity shows two newly registered early-phase trials alongside the previously reported KEYVIBE-005 completion.

• Merck registered a Phase 1 first-in-human trial of MK-8644, a first-in-human study evaluating single and multiple ascending doses, food effect, and relative bioavailability of MK-8644 in healthy Japanese and non-Japanese participants, as well as multiple doses in patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.¹ The study is designed as a randomized, double-masked, parallel trial with an estimated enrollment of 132 participants¹ and is not yet recruiting, with an estimated start of 2026-10-06.
• Merck also registered "EXPrESSIVE-18," a Phase 2 open-label study evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of once-monthly oral MK-8527 (alimatravir) in transgender and gender diverse individuals on gender-affirming hormone therapy who are at low likelihood of HIV-1 exposure.² The trial plans to enroll 80 participants in a single group, with the drug given at 11 mg once monthly², and is not yet recruiting, with an estimated start of 2026-10-29.
• Merck's KEYVIBE-005 basket study of pembrolizumab/vibostolimab co-formulation (MK-7684A) remains completed, with results determining the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of the co-formulation with or without other anticancer therapies in participants with selected advanced solid tumors³ first posted on 2026-09-28.
• Merck S/A is listed as a collaborator, not the lead sponsor, on an unrelated diabetes screening study in Brazil led by epHealth, which is not yet recruiting.