Merck rises after lung disease drug meets main goal in mid-stage study

Shares of drugmaker Merck & Co MRK.N rise 3.1% to $95.75 premarket, on track to touch 8-month high at market open

Co says its lung-disease drug Winrevair met the main goal of a mid-stage study in adults with pulmonary hypertension due to heart failure

Co says the drug showed a significant reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance at 24 weeks compared to placebo, improving the ability of blood to transition through the lungs to the heart

Co says it intends to proceed to a late-stage trial

Separately, Deutsche Bank raises PT to $111 from $110

17 of 30 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, and 13 "hold"; their median PT is $100

MRK is down 6.7% YTD vs 16.5% gain for S&P 100 .OEXA