Merck Reinforces Global Commitment to Cardiovascular Research with New Data Presentations at ESC Congress 2025 in Madrid
Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has announced that a wide range of new clinical trial results and outcomes research will be presented at the upcoming European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2025, scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain, from August 29 to September 1.
The presentations will highlight advances across several of the company’s key focus areas in cardiovascular and pulmonary medicine, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Together, these data represent the company’s ongoing pursuit of novel approaches to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
A Global Health Challenge: Why Cardiovascular Disease Remains a Priority
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not only the leading cause of death worldwide but also a condition that exerts enormous social, economic, and healthcare burdens across countries and regions. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 19 million people die each year from CVD, with many more living with chronic complications that severely affect quality of life. The prevalence of conditions such as myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure continues to grow as populations age and risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol become more widespread.
Speaking about Merck’s renewed focus on this area, Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president, head of global clinical development, and chief medical officer at Merck Research Laboratories, emphasized the significance of this year’s ESC presentations:
“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, and Merck is committed to addressing this urgent public health challenge through research and innovative science. At this year’s congress, the data we are presenting reflect our continued commitment to advancing cardiovascular research with the goal of improving outcomes for patients at risk around the world.”
This vision underlines Merck’s dual approach: generating groundbreaking clinical trial evidence while also engaging with real-world data to understand how therapies are applied outside the controlled environment of clinical studies.
Spotlight on ASCVD: Burden, Treatment Trends, and Opportunities
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, encompasses a range of conditions caused by plaque buildup inside the arteries. Despite advances in prevention and treatment, ASCVD remains a driver of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs globally. At ESC 2025, Merck will present two oral presentations that shed light on the clinical and economic burden of ASCVD as well as on treatment utilization patterns over time.
Clinical and Economic Burden of ASCVD
The first presentation explores outcomes for patients with and without myocardial infarction (MI), using data from a nationwide 10-year registry. By comparing these two groups, researchers aim to better understand the added risks, costs, and resource utilization associated with ASCVD when compounded by the presence of MI. This evidence is expected to inform policymakers, clinicians, and health systems about the scale of the problem and highlight potential areas for intervention.
Temporal Trends in Lipid-Lowering Therapy Utilization
The second presentation focuses on lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), a cornerstone of ASCVD management. Through a large-scale patient population analysis, Merck researchers investigate temporal trends in LLT use. Understanding how treatment patterns have evolved over time—and whether patients are receiving therapies in accordance with updated guidelines—is critical for ensuring that evidence-based care translates into real-world practice.
Together, these studies provide insight into gaps in treatment, the economic toll of ASCVD, and how healthcare systems might optimize resource allocation to reduce long-term burden. They also reflect Merck’s strategy of complementing clinical trial research with population-level real-world data, ensuring that the company’s science is grounded in both clinical rigor and practical realities.
Pulmonary Hypertension Research: WINREVAIR™ (sotatercept-csrk) in Focus
Merck’s cardiopulmonary pipeline is also in the spotlight at ESC 2025, with a focus on WINREVAIR™ (sotatercept-csrk), an investigational therapy being studied for pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH is a severe, progressive disease characterized by elevated blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries, leading to strain on the right side of the heart and eventual heart failure.
Two studies will be presented:
- CADENCE Trial (Phase 2):
This study is designed to evaluate sotatercept in adults with combined post- and precapillary pulmonary hypertension (Cpc-PH) associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The trial’s rationale and design will be showcased, offering the scientific community a glimpse into how this novel therapy may address an unmet need in a complex patient population. - ZENITH Trial Results:
The ZENITH study explores the effect of WINREVAIR on hemodynamics in high-risk pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. These results will highlight whether sotatercept can favorably alter the disease trajectory by improving blood flow dynamics, reducing strain on the heart, and potentially enhancing survival prospects.
PH remains a disease area with limited therapeutic options, and Merck’s efforts to advance sotatercept represent an important step in broadening the treatment landscape.
Advancing Heart Failure Care: Insights from VERQUVO® (vericiguat)
Merck will also deliver an extensive series of presentations around VERQUVO® (vericiguat), a therapy approved for use in adults with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Heart failure remains one of the most prevalent and debilitating cardiovascular conditions worldwide, with millions of patients requiring ongoing management.
At ESC 2025, data will be shared from both the VICTOR and VICTORIA trials, as well as from real-world analyses examining vericiguat use in clinical practice. Key highlights include:
- Two Hot Line Oral Presentations:
Findings from the VICTOR global trial program will be discussed, with a focus on vericiguat’s effect on mortality, hospitalization events, and outcomes across diverse patient subgroups. - Moderated ePoster Sessions and Supplementary Analyses:
These sessions will evaluate how vericiguat is being prescribed in real-world practice, examining dose titration, adherence, and health resource use. Comparative analyses between guideline-directed medical therapy and clinical trial findings will also be shared, providing valuable insight into translation of evidence into practice.
Collectively, these presentations are expected to solidify vericiguat’s role in the evolving treatment paradigm for HFrEF and underscore Merck’s dedication to helping patients live longer, healthier lives despite the burden of chronic heart failure.
Merck-Sponsored Symposia and Advocacy Events
In addition to trial presentations, Merck will actively engage the cardiology community through sponsored symposia and patient-focused advocacy events during ESC 2025.
- Hyperlipidemia Management Symposium (Aug 31):
This session will examine how emerging evidence around LDL-C cumulative exposure and the ASCVD risk continuum can transform clinical practice. The symposium will emphasize the importance of early intervention and lower LDL-C goal attainment to reduce future cardiovascular events. - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Symposium (Aug 31):
A second symposium will focus on reversing remodeling in PAH and improving right ventricular (RV) function, reflecting Merck’s growing leadership in PH research. - Patient Advocacy Event on Barriers in CVD (Aug 29):
This event will explore real-world barriers and challenges patients face in accessing timely cardiovascular care. By incorporating patient perspectives into scientific dialogue, Merck underscores its commitment to patient-centered innovation.
Beyond symposia, Merck is also a sponsor of the ESC Cardiovascular Health Check, which will provide free on-site cardiovascular risk screenings for attendees. Screenings will include assessments of cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), triglycerides, HbA1c, blood pressure, BMI, and more—giving clinicians an opportunity to reflect on their own health while raising awareness of preventative measures.
Comprehensive Abstract Line-Up at ESC 2025
Merck’s ESC presence spans multiple tracks and abstract categories. Highlights include:
- ASCVD Studies
- Oral presentation on lipid-lowering therapy trends (Aug 29).
- Nationwide registry analysis of ASCVD with and without MI (Aug 31).
- Pulmonary Hypertension Studies
- CADENCE trial rationale and design (Sep 1).
- ZENITH trial hemodynamic results (Aug 30).
- Heart Failure Studies
- Residual risk in HFrEF patients on guideline-directed therapy (Aug 29).
- Real-world vericiguat titration and outcomes (Aug 29).
- Comparative analyses between real-world and trial data (Aug 29).
- Multiple VICTOR trial analyses, including effects on mortality and hospitalization (Aug 30 & Sep 1).
This comprehensive slate underscores Merck’s investment in generating evidence across the spectrum of CVD, from large-scale registry data to highly controlled Phase 3 trial outcomes.
Merck’s Legacy in Cardiovascular Science
Merck’s history in cardiovascular research spans more than 60 years. The company introduced its first cardiovascular therapy decades ago and has since continued to drive progress through discovery science, clinical development, and lifecycle management. Over the years, Merck’s collaborations with academic researchers, clinicians, and patient communities have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in cardiovascular medicine.
Today, as cardiovascular disease continues to be the world’s leading health challenge, Merck remains steadfast in its mission: to combine scientific excellence with patient-focused innovation. The company’s research across ASCVD, PH, and heart failure reflects not only a commitment to advancing treatment options but also a recognition that effective solutions must be accessible, impactful, and grounded in real-world outcomes.
The ESC Congress 2025 represents a pivotal opportunity for Merck to showcase its progress, engage with global experts, and help shape the next generation of cardiovascular care. With presentations ranging from registry-based burden analyses to cutting-edge clinical trial data, Merck is positioned to contribute meaningfully to the scientific dialogue driving cardiology forward.
As cardiovascular disease continues to account for nearly one-third of all global deaths, the need for innovation has never been greater. Merck’s sustained focus, reflected in its comprehensive presence at ESC, demonstrates that the company views cardiovascular health not just as a therapeutic area but as a core pillar of its mission to improve global health outcomes.
