WCRC Researched Brand · World's Most Powerful Brands 2026 · Second Global Mega Edition
Merck & Co
Merck & Co. is a US pharmaceutical company, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, and one of the world's largest drugmakers. It is unrelated to Germany's Merck KGaA. Its cancer immunotherapy Keytruda is the world's best-selling drug, with sales of US$31.7bn in 2025, and the company reported total sales of US$65.0bn and GAAP net income of US$18.3bn, up 7%. WCRC's research found Merck strongest in innovation and market leadership. It has a broad, diverse late-stage pipeline backed by large-scale research spending, Keytruda gives it clear leadership in immuno-oncology and a strong product advantage, and its scale and profitability place it in a solid financial position.
- Region
- Americas
- Country
- United States
- WCRC research
- Full 50-parameter assessment
What WCRC found
A broad, diverse late-stage pipeline backed by large-scale research and development.
Clear category leadership through Keytruda, the world's best-selling drug at US$31.7bn in 2025.
Solid financial position, with US$65.0bn in sales and US$18.3bn in GAAP net income.
What holds it back: The portfolio is heavily concentrated, with Keytruda making up about 49% of 2025 sales, and the split Merck and MSD names dilute its global brand presence.
Status in the 2026 edition
Merck & Co was assessed in full on all 50 WCRC parameters for the 2026 edition. It is not among the 100 ranked brands.
WCRC publishes scores only for the 100 ranked brands. How WCRC ranks brands.
Questions people ask
Is Merck & Co in the WCRC World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026?
Merck & Co was assessed in full on all 50 WCRC parameters for the 2026 edition. It is not among the 100 ranked brands.
Which Healthcare & Life Sciences brands are ranked in 2026?
No Healthcare & Life Sciences brand reached the 2026 top 100.