Merck & Co., Inc. faces lawsuit over alleged securities fraud

In the United States, on April 1, 2025, Bernstein Liebhard LLP announced that it is reminding investors of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) of an important deadline regarding a securities fraud class action lawsuit. This lawsuit is aimed at investors who purchased shares of Merck between February 3, 2022, and February 3, 2025, claiming violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors who lost money during this period are encouraged to discuss their legal rights and options. The lawsuit alleges that Merck and certain senior officers made misstatements about the demand for its vaccine drug Gardasil in China. Specifically, it highlights the company's inadequate visibility into the actual demand for Gardasil among the targeted populations, which resulted in an inflated inventory for its distributor, Zhifei. This claim suggests significant issues in Merck's business practices, potentially affecting investor confidence. Investors wishing to serve as lead plaintiffs in the class action must file paperwork by April 14, 2025. Acting as a lead plaintiff allows an individual to represent the interests of other class members while directing the litigation. However, it is specified that participating in the lawsuit or recovering money does not necessitate serving as a lead plaintiff. Individuals can remain absent class members if they choose not to take any action. Representing these investors on a contingency fee basis, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has a history of successful litigations in class actions, earning recognition from The National Law Journal and inclusion in The Legal 500 for its accomplishments. Their advertising promotes that shareholders will incur no fees or expenses during the process, thereby making this a low-risk avenue for investors who believe they have been wronged by the company. As the deadline approaches for investors to take action, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant ramifications for all parties involved.