Merck & Co. stock gets new COPD catalyst as ENHANCE-3 starts

Published on 11/06/2026 at 16:15 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Merck & Co. stock gets a new clinical catalyst as OHTUVAYRE enters a global Phase 3 COPD trial. Recruitment has begun in the United States.

Merck advances OHTUVAYRE development

Merck began the global ENHANCE-3 Phase 3 trial to test OHTUVAYRE against COPD exacerbations.
The study plans to enroll 2,136 patients across 28 countries and will track results over 52 weeks.
OHTUVAYRE already holds U.S. approval for maintenance treatment of adults with COPD.

Merck & Co., US58933Y1055, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Merck & Co. announced on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, that it had started ENHANCE-3, a global Phase 3 trial evaluating OHTUVAYRE, or ensifentrine, for preventing COPD exacerbations. The first patients are now enrolling in the United States, according to Merck.

Global trial expands pipeline focus

ENHANCE-3 is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 2,136 patients in 28 countries. Participants will receive either OHTUVAYRE twice daily plus standard care or placebo plus standard care.

The primary endpoint is the annualized rate of adjudicated moderate or severe COPD exacerbations over 52 weeks. Secondary measures include lung function, health-related quality of life, severe exacerbations and safety. The trial targets adults aged 40 to 80 with a confirmed COPD diagnosis and a recent history of moderate or severe exacerbations.

OHTUVAYRE remains a development catalyst

Merck said the study is intended to strengthen the evidence base for OHTUVAYRE in COPD care. The medicine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2024 for maintenance treatment of adults with COPD. ENHANCE-3 therefore adds a new clinical development milestone, but the company has not yet reported results from this trial.

Merck & Co. stock traded at 131.53 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 4:05 p.m. CET on Friday, November 6, 2026. The real-time quote of Merck & Co. stock reflects the latest available euro quotation.