Prepare for your Merck biotech role

Master oncology innovation, clinical efficacy, and indication strategy at a leading cancer-focused biopharmaceutical company.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Merck is looking for

Oncology Interview

Oncology Clinical Development

01Trial Design & Patient Selection

02Efficacy Measurement

03Safety Monitoring

04Biomarker Strategy

Strategy Interview

Indication & Combination Strategy

01Indication Prioritization

02Combination Therapy Design

03Patient Population Targeting

04Competitive Positioning

Leadership in immuno-oncology and checkpoint inhibitors//Robust clinical trial infrastructure and patient enrollment capabilities//Deep expertise in combination therapy development

Practice Library

Merck exercises

Ready to ace your Merck interview?

Prepare for your Merck biotech role

Master oncology innovation, clinical efficacy, and indication strategy at a leading cancer-focused biopharmaceutical company.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Merck is looking for

Oncology Interview

Oncology Clinical Development

01Trial Design & Patient Selection

02Efficacy Measurement

03Safety Monitoring

04Biomarker Strategy

Strategy Interview

Indication & Combination Strategy

01Indication Prioritization

02Combination Therapy Design

03Patient Population Targeting

04Competitive Positioning

Leadership in immuno-oncology and checkpoint inhibitors//Robust clinical trial infrastructure and patient enrollment capabilities//Deep expertise in combination therapy development

How It Works

Master Merck Oncology Innovation

Practice clinical development and indication strategy evaluated at Merck. · Click to expand

1Your Biotech Goals

Drug Development Strategy

Practitioner

Innovation & Differentiation

Practitioner

2Biotech Case Prep

Your immunotherapy shows 35% response in monotherapy but 52% in combination with another...

CASE INTERVIEWHard

Merck

3Frameworks

Framework

Is the clinical evidence strong enough to justify progression?

What does Phase 2 efficacy and safety data show?

Primary endpoint met in 68% of patients (competitor baseline: 52%)

Grade 3+ adverse events: 12% (industry acceptable: <15%)

What regulatory pathway is available?

Accelerated approval pathway eligible (orphan disease, unmet need)

Fast-track designation from FDA reduces review timelines by 40%

Is there sufficient market opportunity to justify the investment?

What is the addressable market and competitive landscape?

Global patient population: 240,000 (growing 8% annually)

Competitive products in Phase 3: 3 (our differentiation: efficacy 16pp higher)

What is the commercial potential and pricing environment?

Estimated peak sales: $850M (similar mechanism drugs: $600–1,200M range)

Net pricing pressure from payers: -18% vs. launch expectations

Can we execute Phase 3 given our resource and portfolio constraints?

What will Phase 3 require in cost and timeline?

Phase 3 trial cost: $180M (35% of annual R&D budget)

Expected completion: 42 months (cash runway: 48 months at current burn)

How does this fit within our overall pipeline prioritization?

Current pipeline: 7 Phase 2+ programs competing for resources

Expected contribution to 5-year revenue forecast: 31% (highest of pipeline)

4Feedback

Clinical Evidence

Distinctive

Innovation Strategy

Strong

Regulatory Pathway

Meeting Bar

Commercial Potential

Strong

Repeat

Practice Library

Merck exercises

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CASE INTERVIEWHard

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How do you evaluate the credibility of emerging clinical evidence in your field?

BEHAVIORALMedium

Behavioral · Scientific JudgmentMerck