Merck Announces Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Merck reported strong Q3 2024 financial results with total worldwide sales of $16.7 billion, up 4% from Q3 2023. KEYTRUDA sales grew 17% to $7.4 billion, while new launch WINREVAIR achieved sales of $149 million. Animal Health sales increased 6% to $1.5 billion. GAAP EPS was $1.24 and Non-GAAP EPS was $1.57, both including a $0.79 per share net charge from business development transactions. The company narrowed its full-year 2024 outlook, expecting worldwide sales between $63.6-64.1 billion and Non-GAAP EPS between $7.72-7.77.

Positive

• Total sales increased 4% YoY to $16.7 billion
• KEYTRUDA sales grew 17% to $7.4 billion
• Animal Health sales rose 6% to $1.5 billion
• New product WINREVAIR generated $149 million in sales
• Gross margin improved to 75.5% from 73.3% YoY

Negative

• GAAP EPS declined 33% to $1.24 from $1.86 YoY
• Non-GAAP EPS decreased 26% to $1.57 from $2.13 YoY
• GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales declined 11% due to lower China demand
• JANUVIA/JANUMET sales fell 42% due to generic competition
• R&D expenses increased 77% to $5.9 billion

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 2024 results reveal mixed performance with some notable strengths and challenges. Total sales grew 4% to $16.7 billion, driven by KEYTRUDA's impressive 17% growth to $7.4 billion. The launch of WINREVAIR shows promise with $149 million in sales. However, GAAP EPS declined 33% to $1.24, largely due to significant R&D investments and business development charges.

Key concerns include declining GARDASIL sales in China and continued pressure on diabetes franchise. The narrowed full-year guidance suggests management's increased confidence in near-term execution, though the $0.24 EPS impact from recent deals will affect profitability. The strong pipeline progress and strategic acquisitions demonstrate commitment to long-term growth beyond KEYTRUDA.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic portfolio transformation is gaining momentum through both organic growth and acquisitions. The expansion in earlier-stage cancers, launch of WINREVAIR in PAH and progress in vaccines create multiple growth drivers. While the 42% decline in JANUVIA/JANUMET sales highlights patent cliff challenges, new product launches and pipeline assets provide offsetting opportunities.

The Animal Health segment's 6% growth demonstrates resilience, with particularly strong performance in companion animals. The acquisition strategy focusing on novel technologies and complementary assets positions Merck well for sustainable long-term growth, though near-term earnings will be impacted by development costs.

• Total Worldwide Sales Were $16.7 Billion, an Increase of 4% From Third Quarter 2023; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Growth Was 7%
  • KEYTRUDA Sales Grew 17% to $7.4 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 21%
  • WINREVAIR Sales Were $149 Million; U.S. Launch of WINREVAIR Gaining Momentum; Received Approval in the EU
  • Animal Health Sales Grew 6% to $1.5 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 11%
• GAAP EPS Was $1.24; Non-GAAP EPS Was $1.57; GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS Include a Net Charge of $0.79 per Share Related to Certain Business Development Transactions
• Achieved Significant Milestones in Vaccine Programs
  • CAPVAXIVE Recommended by the CDC’s ACIP for Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults 50 Years of Age and Older
  • Presented Positive Results From Clinical Studies Evaluating Clesrovimab (MK-1654), an Investigational RSV Preventative Monoclonal Antibody for Infants Entering Their First RSV Season
• Data Presented for Four Approved Medicines and Six Pipeline Candidates in More Than 20 Types of Cancer at ESMO Congress 2024, Including Overall Survival Data From KEYNOTE-522 and KEYNOTE-A18
• Completed Acquisition of Investigational B-Cell Depletion Therapy, CN201 (MK-1045), From Curon Biopharmaceutical
• Full-Year 2024 Financial Outlook
  • Narrows Expected Worldwide Sales Range To Be Between $63.6 Billion and $64.1 Billion
  • Now Expects Non-GAAP EPS To Be Between $7.72 and $7.77; Outlook Reflects a Net Negative Impact of $0.24 per Share Related to Business Development Transactions With Curon Biopharmaceutical and Daiichi Sankyo

RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2024.

“Our third-quarter results were strong, as we continue to make progress heading into 2025 and beyond," said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. "Our pipeline is advancing and expanding, demonstrating our success in creating a sustainable innovation engine, and positioning Merck with a more diversified portfolio to drive growth. I continue to remain confident in the strength of our business and our ability to execute, and I want to thank our colleagues across the globe for their focus and commitment as we work to create lasting value for patients, shareholders and all our stakeholders.”

Financial Summary

$ in millions, except EPS amounts	Third Quarter
	2024	2023	Change	Change Ex-  Exchange
Sales	$16,657	$15,962	4%	7%
GAAP net income1	3,157	4,745	-33%	-30%
Non-GAAP net income that excludes certain items1,2*	3,985	5,427	-27%	-23%
GAAP EPS	1.24	1.86	-33%	-30%
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes certain items2*	1.57	2.13	-26%	-23%
*Refer to table on page 7.

In the third quarter of 2024, total worldwide sales were $16.7 billion, an increase of 4% compared with the third quarter of 2023; excluding the impact of foreign exchange, growth was 7%. Sales growth in the third quarter of 2024 was primarily due to increased usage of KEYTRUDA globally, contributions from new launches, including WINREVAIR and CAPVAXIVE, and strong growth in Merck’s Animal Health business. Revenue growth in the third quarter of 2024 was partially offset by lower sales of JANUVIA and JANUMET, lower combined sales of GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 and lower sales of LAGEVRIO. Third-quarter GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales declined year-over-year due to reduced demand in China; outside of China, the company achieved double-digit sales growth for GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 in almost every major region globally.

For the third quarter of 2024, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) earnings per share (EPS) assuming dilution was $1.24 and non-GAAP EPS was $1.57. The declines in GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2024 versus the prior year were largely due to a net charge of $0.79 per share in the aggregate for the acquisition of Eyebiotech Limited (EyeBio) and a related development milestone, the acquisition of CN201 (now known as MK-1045) from Curon Biopharmaceutical (Curon), as well as a payment received from Daiichi Sankyo related to the expansion of the existing development and commercialization agreement. There were no significant business development transaction charges in the third quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP EPS in both periods excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities.

Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Third-Quarter Sales Performance

The following table reflects sales of the company’s top products and significant performance drivers.

	Third Quarter
$ in millions	2024	2023	Change	Change Ex- Exchange	Commentary
Total Sales	$16,657	$15,962	4%	7%	Approximately 2 percentage points of the negative impact of foreign exchange was due to devaluation of Argentine peso, which was largely offset by inflation-related price increases, consistent with practice in that market.
Pharmaceutical	14,943	14,263	5%	8%	Increase driven by growth in oncology and cardiovascular, partially offset by declines in diabetes, vaccines and virology.
KEYTRUDA	7,429	6,338	17%	21%	Growth driven by increased global uptake in earlier-stage indications, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as continued strong global demand from metastatic indications. Approximately 3 percentage points of the negative impact of foreign exchange was due to devaluation of Argentine peso, which was largely offset by inflation-related price increases.
GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9	2,306	2,585	-11%	-10%	Decline primarily due to lower demand in China compared with prior year, partially offset by higher sales in the U.S., driven by public-sector buying patterns, higher pricing and demand, as well as higher demand in most international regions.
PROQUAD, M-M-R II and VARIVAX	703	713	-1%	-1%	Decline primarily due to timing of shipments and lower tenders in Latin America, largely offset by higher demand in certain international markets.
JANUVIA/JANUMET	482	835	-42%	-38%	Decline primarily due to lower pricing in the U.S., as well as ongoing generic competition in many international markets.
BRIDION	420	424	-1%	0%	Relatively flat compared with prior year due to generic competition in certain international markets, particularly in Europe and Japan, largely offset by higher demand and pricing in the U.S.
LAGEVRIO	383	640	-40%	-36%	Decline primarily due to lower demand in Japan, partially offset by uptake from commercial launch in the U.S.
Lynparza*	337	299	13%	13%	Growth primarily due to higher global demand.
Lenvima*	251	260	-3%	-4%	Decline primarily due to timing of shipments in China in the prior year, partially offset by higher demand in the U.S.
VAXNEUVANCE	239	214	12%	13%	Growth largely driven by continued uptake from launches in Europe and Japan, partially offset by lower demand in the U.S. due to competition.
PREVYMIS	208	157	32%	36%	Growth primarily due to higher global demand, particularly in the U.S.
ROTATEQ	193	156	24%	25%	Growth primarily due to public-sector buying patterns in the U.S. and timing of shipments in China.
WINREVAIR	149	-	-	-	Represents continued uptake since launch in the U.S. in the second quarter.
WELIREG	139	54	156%	157%	Growth primarily driven by higher demand in the U.S., largely attributable to ongoing uptake of a new indication.
Animal Health	1,487	1,400	6%	11%	Growth primarily driven by higher demand and pricing for both Companion Animal and Livestock product portfolios, as well as sales related to July 2024 acquisition of Elanco aqua business. Approximately 2 percentage points of the negative impact of foreign exchange was due to devaluation of Argentine peso, which was largely offset by inflation-related price increases.
Livestock	886	874	1%	7%	Growth primarily driven by higher pricing and higher demand for poultry and swine products, as well as sales related to acquisition of Elanco aqua business.
Companion Animal	601	526	14%	17%	Growth primarily driven by uptake from new product launches, including the injectable formulation of BRAVECTO in certain international markets, as well as higher pricing across product portfolio. Sales of BRAVECTO were $266 million and $235 million in current and prior year quarters, respectively, which represented growth of 13%, or 16% excluding impact of foreign exchange.
Other Revenues**	227	299	-24%	-22%	Decline primarily due to lower payments received for out-licensing arrangements and lower royalty income.
*Alliance revenue for this product represents Merck’s share of profits, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs. **Other revenues are comprised primarily of revenues from third-party manufacturing arrangements and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue-hedging activities.

Third-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

The table below presents selected expense information.

$ in millions	GAAP	Acquisition- and Divestiture- Related Costs3	Restructuring Costs	(Income) Loss From Investments in Equity Securities	Non- GAAP2
Third Quarter 2024
Cost of sales	$4,080	$639	$192	$-	$3,249
Selling, general and administrative	2,731	43	31	-	2,657
Research and development	5,862	24	-	-	5,838
Restructuring costs	56	-	56	-	-
Other (income) expense, net	(162)	(27)	-	58	(193)
Third Quarter 2023
Cost of sales	$4,264	$552	$33	$-	$3,679
Selling, general and administrative	2,519	17	40	-	2,462
Research and development	3,307	10	-	-	3,297
Restructuring costs	126	-	126	-	-
Other (income) expense, net	126	(24)	-	17	133

GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 75.5% for the third quarter of 2024 compared with 73.3% for the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impact of product mix (including lower royalty rates related to KEYTRUDA and GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9), partially offset by higher restructuring costs (primarily reflecting asset impairment charges), as well as higher amortization of intangible assets.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 8% compared with the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative, promotional, selling, and acquisition-related costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $5.9 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 77% compared with the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a charge of $1.35 billion for the acquisition of EyeBio and a $100 million charge for a related development milestone, as well as a charge of $750 million to acquire CN201 (MK-1045) from Curon. The increase in R&D expenses was also driven by higher compensation and benefit costs, as well as higher clinical development spending. The increase in R&D expenses was partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Other (income) expense, net, was $162 million of income in the third quarter of 2024 compared with $126 million of expense in the third quarter of 2023. The favorability was primarily due to a $170 million payment received from Daiichi Sankyo related to the expansion of the existing development and commercialization agreement, lower exchange losses and lower net interest expense.

The effective tax rate of 22.7% for the third quarter of 2024 includes a 7.2 percentage point combined unfavorable impact related to the EyeBio and Curon transactions.

GAAP EPS was $1.24 for the third quarter of 2024 compared with $1.86 for the third quarter of 2023. GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2024 includes a net charge of $0.79 per share in the aggregate for the EyeBio, Curon and Daiichi Sankyo transactions. There were no significant business development transaction charges in the third quarter of 2023.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Non-GAAP gross margin was 80.5% for the third quarter of 2024 compared with 77.0% for the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impact of product mix (including lower royalty rates related to KEYTRUDA and GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9).

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 8% compared with the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative, promotional and selling costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $5.8 billion in the third quarter of 2024, an increase of 77% compared with the third quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily due to a charge of $1.35 billion for the acquisition of EyeBio and a $100 million charge for a related development milestone, as well as a charge of $750 million to acquire CN201 (MK-1045) from Curon. The increase in R&D expenses was also driven by higher compensation and benefit costs, as well as higher clinical development spending. The increase in R&D expenses was partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $193 million of income in the third quarter of 2024 compared with $133 million of expense in the third quarter of 2023. The favorability was primarily due to a $170 million payment received from Daiichi Sankyo related to the expansion of the existing development and commercialization agreement, lower exchange losses and lower net interest expense.

The non-GAAP effective tax rate of 21.9% for the third quarter of 2024 includes a 6.0 percentage point combined unfavorable impact related to the EyeBio and Curon transactions.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.57 for the third quarter of 2024 compared with $2.13 for the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP EPS in the third quarter of 2024 includes a net charge of $0.79 per share in the aggregate for the EyeBio, Curon and Daiichi Sankyo transactions. There were no significant business development transaction charges in the third quarter of 2023.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.

	Third Quarter
$ in millions, except EPS amounts	2024	2023
EPS
GAAP EPS	$1.24	$1.86
Difference	0.33	0.27
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2	$1.57	$2.13
Net Income
GAAP net income1	$3,157	$4,745
Difference	828	682
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2	$3,985	$5,427
Excluded Items:
Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs3	$679	$555
Restructuring costs	279	199
Loss from investments in equity securities	58	17
Decrease to net income	1,016	771
Estimated income tax (benefit) expense	(188)	(89)
Decrease to net income	$828	$682

Pipeline and Portfolio Highlights

In the third quarter, Merck continued to develop and augment its strong, diverse pipeline and achieve key regulatory and clinical milestones.

In cardiovascular disease, Merck continued to build on positive momentum in its U.S. launch of WINREVAIR. As of the end of September 2024, more than 3,700 patients have been prescribed WINREVAIR. The company also received the European Commission’s (EC) approval of WINREVAIR, in combination with other pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) therapies, for the treatment of adult patients with PAH with World Health Organization (WHO) functional Class II to III. WINREVAIR is the first activin signaling inhibitor approved for the treatment of PAH in Europe. WINREVAIR has launched in Germany and Merck is working to obtain reimbursement for WINREVAIR in other countries in the EU, which should occur in most other major European markets in the second half of 2025.

In oncology, Merck continued to reinforce its leadership in women’s and earlier stages of cancers and demonstrate progress in its research pipeline. At the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024, three of the company’s data presentations were highlighted during Presidential Symposium sessions. These included overall survival (OS) data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial in high-risk, early-stage TNBC and from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 trial (also known as ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047) in high-risk, locally advanced cervical cancer. In addition, new positive data on investigational candidates from Merck’s pipeline were presented, including for patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) being developed in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, and for sacituzumab tirumotecan (sac-TMT), an anti-TROP2 ADC being developed in collaboration with Kelun-Biotech.

The company also achieved several regulatory milestones, including new approvals for KEYTRUDA-based regimens in the U.S., Europe and Japan. In addition, Merck recently announced top-line results from the KEYNOTE-689 trial, which marks the first positive trial in two decades for patients with resected, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC).

In vaccines, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted in October 2024 to recommend CAPVAXIVE for individuals 50 to 64 years of age. This decision expanded upon the initial unanimous recommendation in June 2024 for use of CAPVAXIVE in adults age 65 and older, among other cohorts.

At IDWeek 2024, Merck presented positive results from the Phase 2b/3 trial of clesrovimab (MK-1654), an investigational respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) preventative monoclonal antibody for infants. These results support the potential for clesrovimab to become the first and only single-dose immunization designed to protect infants with the same dose, regardless of weight, for the duration of their first RSV season (six months).

In immunology, long-term efficacy and safety data for tulisokibart (MK-7240), an investigational humanized monoclonal antibody directed to a novel target, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like cytokine 1A (TL1A), from the Phase 2 ARTEMIS-UC and APOLLO-CD studies in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), were presented at the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week 2024 Congress. Both studies showed that, at week 50, maintenance of treatment efficacy was generally observed in 12-week induction responders. Phase 3 studies in UC and CD are ongoing.

In addition, Merck continued to expand and diversify its pipeline by securing strategic business development opportunities. Merck completed its acquisition of CN201 (MK-1045), a next-generation CD3xCD19 bispecific antibody with potential applications in B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases, from Curon. Merck also announced the expansion of the global development and commercialization agreement with Daiichi Sankyo to include MK-6070, an investigational delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) targeting T-cell engager. The companies are planning to evaluate MK-6070 in combination with ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd) in certain patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), as well as other potential combinations.

Notable recent news releases on Merck’s pipeline and portfolio are provided in the table that follows.

Oncology	FDA Approved KEYTRUDA Plus Pemetrexed and Platinum Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Adult Patients With Unresectable Advanced or Metastatic Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-483/CCTG IND.227 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	EC Approved KEYTRUDA Plus Padcev as First-Line Treatment of Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma in Adults, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39/EV-302 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Received 30th Approval From EC With Two New Indications in Gynecologic Cancers, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-868/NRG-GY018 and KEYNOTE-A18 Trials	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Received New Approvals in Japan for Certain Patients With NSCLC, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-671 Trial, and for Radically Unresectable Urothelial Carcinoma, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39/EV-302 and Phase 2 KEYNOTE-052 Trials	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Plus Chemotherapy Before Surgery and Continued as Single Agent After Surgery Reduced Risk of Death by More Than One-Third (34%) Versus Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk, Early-Stage TNBC, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Plus Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) Reduced Risk of Death by 33% Versus CRT Alone in Patients With Newly Diagnosed, High-Risk, Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18/ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Ten-Year Data Demonstrated Sustained OS Benefit Versus Ipilimumab in Advanced Melanoma, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-006 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Plus Lenvima in Combination With Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Significantly Improved Progression-Free Survival Compared to TACE Alone in Patients With Unresectable, Non-Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Based on Results From Phase 3 LEAP-012 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Plus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy Significantly Improved OS Versus Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy Alone in First-Line Treatment of Patients With HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric or GEJ Adenocarcinoma, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	KEYTRUDA Met Primary Endpoint of Event-Free Survival as Perioperative Treatment Regimen in Patients With Resected, LA-HNSCC, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-689 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	Patritumab Deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) Demonstrated Statistically Significant Improvement in Progression-Free Survival Versus Doublet Chemotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic EGFR-Mutated NSCLC, Based on Results From Phase 3 HERTHENA-Lung02 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	Ifinatamab Deruxtecan Continued to Demonstrate Promising Objective Response Rates in Patients With Extensive-Stage SCLC, Based on Results From Phase 2 IDeate-Lung01 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	Merck and Moderna Initiated Phase 3 Trial Evaluating Adjuvant V940 (mRNA-4157) in Combination With KEYTRUDA After Neoadjuvant KEYTRUDA and Chemotherapy in Patients With Certain Types of NSCLC	(Read Announcement)
	Merck Initiated Phase 3 Shorespan-007 Trial for Bomedemstat, an Investigational Candidate for the Treatment of Certain Patients With Essential Thrombocythemia	(Read Announcement)
	Merck and Daiichi Sankyo Initiated Phase 3 IDeate-Lung02 Trial of Ifinatamab Deruxtecan in Patients With Relapsed SCLC	(Read Announcement)
	Merck and Exelixis Signed Clinical Development Collaboration To Evaluate Investigational Zanzalintinib in Combination With KEYTRUDA in Head and Neck Cancer and in Combination With WELIREG in RCC	(Read Announcement)
Vaccines	Clesrovimab (MK-1654), an Investigational RSV Preventative Monoclonal Antibody, Significantly Reduced Incidence of RSV Disease and Hospitalization in Healthy Preterm and Full-Term Infants, Based on Results From Phase 2b/3 MK-1654-004 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	CDC’s ACIP Recommended CAPVAXIVE for Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults 50 Years of Age and Older	(Read Announcement)
	CAPVAXIVE Demonstrated Positive Immune Responses in Adults With Increased Risk for Pneumococcal Disease, Based on Results From Phase 3 STRIDE-8 Trial	(Read Announcement)
	Merck Announced Positive Top-line Results From Phase 3 Trial Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of GARDASIL 9 in Japanese Males	(Read Announcement)
Cardiovascular	EC Approved WINREVAIR in Combination With Other PAH Therapies for the Treatment of PAH in Adult Patients With Functional Class II-III, Based on Results From Phase 3 STELLAR Trial	(Read Announcement)
Immunology	Merck Presented New Long-Term Data for Tulisokibart (MK-7240), an Investigational Anti-TL1A Monoclonal Antibody, in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at UEG Week 2024	(Read Announcement)
Infectious Diseases	Merck and Gilead Announced Phase 2 Data Showing a Treatment Switch to an Investigational Oral Once-Weekly Combination Regimen of Islatravir and Lenacapavir (MK-8591D) Maintained Viral Suppression in Adults at Week 48	(Read Announcement)
Ophthalmology	Merck and EyeBio Initiated Phase 2b/3 Clinical Trial for MK-3000 for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema	(Read Announcement)

Sustainability Highlights

Merck issued its 2023/2024 Impact Report, reaffirming its commitment to operating responsibly and enabling broad access to its products. The report noted how the company reached more than 550 million people around the world with its medicines and vaccines through commercial channels, clinical trials, voluntary licensing and product donations.

Full-Year 2024 Financial Outlook

The following table summarizes the company’s full-year financial outlook.

	Full Year 2024
	Updated	Prior
Sales*	$63.6 to $64.1 billion	$63.4 to $64.4 billion
Non-GAAP Gross margin2	Approximately 81%	Approximately 81%
Non-GAAP Operating expenses2**	$27.8 to $28.3 billion	$26.8 to $27.6 billion
Non-GAAP Other (income) expense, net2	Approximately $100 million expense	Approximately $350 million expense
Non-GAAP Effective tax rate2	16.0% to 17.0%	15.5% to 16.5%
Non-GAAP EPS2***	$7.72 to $7.77	$7.94 to $8.04
Share count (assuming dilution)	Approximately 2.54 billion	Approximately 2.54 billion
*The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to sales.
**Includes one-time R&D charges of $656 million for Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. (Harpoon) acquisition, $1.45 billion for EyeBio acquisition and related development milestone payment, and $750 million for acquisition of CN201 (MK-1045) from Curon. Outlook does not assume any additional significant potential business development transactions.
***Includes net one-time charge of $1.05 per share in aggregate for the Harpoon, EyeBio and Curon transactions, and the cash payment received from Daiichi Sankyo.

Merck has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, non-GAAP effective tax rate and non-GAAP EPS to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, given it cannot predict with reasonable certainty the amounts necessary for such a reconciliation, including intangible asset impairment charges, legal settlements, and gains and losses from investments in equity securities either owned directly or through ownership interests in investment funds, without unreasonable effort. These items are inherently difficult to forecast and could have a significant impact on the company’s future GAAP results.

Merck continues to experience strong growth, including from KEYTRUDA, new product launches and Animal Health. As a result, Merck is narrowing the range of its full-year sales outlook.

Merck now expects its full-year sales to be between $63.6 billion and $64.1 billion, including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately 3 percentage points, at mid-October 2024 exchange rates. Approximately 2 percentage points of the negative impact of foreign exchange is due to the devaluation of the Argentine peso, which is being largely offset by inflation-related price increases, consistent with practice in that market.

Merck now expects its full-year non-GAAP effective income tax rate to be between 16.0% and 17.0%, which includes an unfavorable impact related to the one-time charge associated with the acquisition of CN201 (MK-1045) from Curon.

Merck now expects its full-year non-GAAP EPS to be between $7.72 and $7.77. The outlook includes a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately $0.30 per share. The negative impact of foreign exchange is primarily due to the devaluation of the Argentine peso, which is being largely offset by inflation-related price increases, consistent with practice in that market. This revised non-GAAP EPS range reflects a net charge of $0.24 per share for the following items not previously included in the outlook:

• The acquisition of CN201 (MK-1045) from Curon.
• Payment received from Daiichi Sankyo related to the expansion of the existing development and commercialization agreement.

Consistent with past practice, the financial outlook does not assume additional significant potential business development transactions.

Non-GAAP EPS excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, income and losses from investments in equity securities, as well as a tax benefit in 2024 due to a reduction in reserves for unrecognized income tax benefits, resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations for assessments related to the 2019 federal tax return year.

Earnings Conference Call

Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the earnings conference call on Thursday, October 31, at 9 a.m. ET via this weblink. A replay of the webcast, along with the sales and earnings news release, supplemental financial disclosures, and slides highlighting the results, will be available at www.merck.com.

All participants may join the call by dialing (800) 369-3351 (U.S. and Canada Toll-Free) or (517) 308-9448 and using the access code 9818590.

About Merck

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Appendix

Generic product names are provided below.

Pharmaceutical
BRIDION (sugammadex)
CAPVAXIVE (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine)
GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent [Types 6, 11, 16 and 18] Vaccine, Recombinant)
GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)
JANUMET (sitagliptin and metformin HCl)
JANUVIA (sitagliptin)
KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab)
LAGEVRIO (molnupiravir)
Lenvima (lenvatinib)
Lynparza (olaparib)
M-M-R II (Measles, Mumps and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live)
PREVYMIS (letermovir)
PROQUAD (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live)
ROTATEQ (Rotavirus Vaccine, Live, Oral, Pentavalent)
VARIVAX (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live)
VAXNEUVANCE (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine)
VERQUVO (vericiguat)
WELIREG (belzutifan)
WINREVAIR (sotatercept-csrk)

Animal Health
BRAVECTO (fluralaner)

_________________________________
1	Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
2	Merck is providing certain 2024 and 2023 non-GAAP information that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing this information enhances investors’ understanding of the company’s results because management uses non-GAAP results to assess performance. Management uses non-GAAP measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the company along with other metrics. In addition, annual employee compensation, including senior management’s compensation, is derived in part using a non-GAAP pretax income metric. This information should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, information prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a description of the non-GAAP adjustments, see Table 2a attached to this release.
3	Reflects expenses related to acquisitions of businesses, including the amortization of intangible assets, intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration. Also includes integration, transaction and certain other costs associated with acquisitions and divestitures, as well as amortization of intangible assets related to collaborations and licensing arrangements.

MERCK & CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME - GAAP
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 1
		GAAP							% Change			GAAP							% Change
			3Q24			3Q23						Sep YTD 2024			Sep YTD 2023
Sales		$	16,657		$	15,962			4	%		$	48,544		$	45,485			7	%
Costs, Expenses and Other
Cost of sales			4,080			4,264			-4	%			11,365			12,214			-7	%
Selling, general and administrative			2,731			2,519			8	%			7,952			7,700			3	%
Research and development			5,862			3,307			77	%			13,354			20,904			-36	%
Restructuring costs			56			126			-56	%			258			344			-25	%
Other (income) expense, net			(162	)		126			*				(151	)		388			*
Income Before Taxes			4,090			5,620			-27	%			15,766			3,935			*
Taxes on Income			929			870							2,377			2,332
Net Income			3,161			4,750			-33	%			13,389			1,603			*
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			4			5							15			12
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.		$	3,157		$	4,745			-33	%		$	13,374		$	1,591			*
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution		$	1.24		$	1.86			-33	%		$	5.26		$	0.62			*
Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution			2,541			2,546							2,543			2,549
Tax Rate			22.7	%		15.5	%						15.1	%		59.3	%
* 100% or greater

MERCK & CO., INC.
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 2a
		GAAP				Acquisition and Divestiture-Related Costs (1)				Restructuring Costs (2)				(Income) Loss from Investments in Equity Securities				Certain Other Items				Adjustment Subtotal			Non-GAAP
Third Quarter
Cost of sales		$	4,080			639				192												831			$	3,249
Selling, general and administrative			2,731			43				31												74				2,657
Research and development			5,862			24																24				5,838
Restructuring costs			56							56												56				–
Other (income) expense, net			(162	)		(27	)							58								31				(193	)
Income Before Taxes			4,090			(679	)			(279	)			(58	)							(1,016	)			5,106
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)			929			(129	)	(3	)	(46	)	(3	)	(13	)	(3	)					(188	)			1,117
Net Income			3,161			(550	)			(233	)			(45	)							(828	)			3,989
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.			3,157			(550	)			(233	)			(45	)							(828	)			3,985
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution		$	1.24			(0.22	)			(0.09	)			(0.02	)							(0.33	)		$	1.57
Tax Rate			22.7	%																						21.9	%
Sep YTD
Cost of sales		$	11,365			1,708				374												2,082			$	9,283
Selling, general and administrative			7,952			88				67												155				7,797
Research and development			13,354			60				2												62				13,292
Restructuring costs			258							258												258				–
Other (income) expense, net			(151	)		(48	)							(107	)							(155	)			4
Income Before Taxes			15,766			(1,808	)			(701	)			107								(2,402	)			18,168
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)			2,377			(350	)	(3	)	(118	)	(3	)	23		(3	)	(259	)	(4	)	(704	)			3,081
Net Income			13,389			(1,458	)			(583	)			84				259				(1,698	)			15,087
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.			13,374			(1,458	)			(583	)			84				259				(1,698	)			15,072
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution		$	5.26			(0.57	)			(0.23	)			0.03				0.10				(0.67	)		$	5.93
Tax Rate			15.1	%																						17.0	%
Only the line items that are affected by non-GAAP adjustments are shown.
Merck is providing certain non-GAAP information that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing non-GAAP information enhances investors’ understanding of the company’s results because management uses non-GAAP measures to assess performance. Management uses non-GAAP measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the company along with other metrics. In addition, annual employee compensation, including senior management’s compensation, is derived in part using a non-GAAP pretax income metric. The non-GAAP information presented should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
(1) Amounts included in cost of sales primarily reflect expenses for the amortization of intangible assets. Amounts included in selling, general and administrative expenses reflect integration, transaction and certain other costs related to acquisitions and divestitures. Amounts included in research and development expenses primarily reflect the amortization of intangible assets and Animal Health intangible asset impairment charges. Amounts included in other (income) expense, net, primarily reflect royalty income related to the prior termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture.
(2) Amounts primarily include employee separation costs, accelerated depreciation and asset impairments associated with facilities to be closed or divested related to activities under the company's formal restructuring programs.
(3) Represents the estimated tax impacts on the reconciling items based on applying the statutory rate of the originating territory of the non-GAAP adjustments.
(4) Represents a benefit due to a reduction in reserves for unrecognized income tax benefits resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations for assessments related to the 2019 federal tax return year.

MERCK & CO., INC.
FRANCHISE / KEY PRODUCT SALES
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 3
	2024					2023					3Q			Sep YTD
	1Q	2Q	3Q	Sep YTD		1Q	2Q	3Q	Sep YTD		Nom %	Ex-Exch %		Nom %	Ex-Exch %
TOTAL SALES (1)	$15,775	$16,112	$16,657	$48,544		$14,487	$15,035	$15,962	$45,485		4	7		7	10
PHARMACEUTICAL	14,006	14,408	14,943	43,358		12,721	13,457	14,263	40,442		5	8		7	10
Oncology
Keytruda	6,947	7,270	7,429	21,646		5,795	6,271	6,338	18,403		17	21		18	22
Alliance Revenue – Lynparza (2)	292	317	337	947		275	310	299	884		13	13		7	8
Alliance Revenue – Lenvima (2)	255	249	251	755		232	242	260	734		-3	-4		3	3
Welireg	85	126	139	349		42	50	54	146		156	157		138	139
Alliance Revenue – Reblozyl (3)	71	90	100	261		43	47	52	142		91	91		84	84
Vaccines (4)
Gardasil/Gardasil 9	2,249	2,478	2,306	7,032		1,972	2,458	2,585	7,015		-11	-10		-	3
ProQuad/M-M-R II/Varivax	570	617	703	1,891		528	582	713	1,823		-1	-1		4	4
Vaxneuvance	219	189	239	647		106	168	214	488		12	13		33	34
RotaTeq	216	163	193	572		297	131	156	584		24	25		-2	-1
Pneumovax 23	61	59	68	188		96	92	140	327		-51	-51		-42	-40
Hospital Acute Care
Bridion	440	455	420	1,315		487	502	424	1,413		-1	-		-7	-6
Prevymis	174	188	208	570		129	143	157	430		32	36		33	36
Dificid	73	92	96	261		65	76	74	215		31	31		21	21
Zerbaxa	56	62	64	182		50	54	53	157		22	25		16	19
Noxafil	56	45	41	141		60	55	51	167		-20	-13		-15	-5
Cardiovascular
Alliance Revenue - Adempas/Verquvo (5)	98	106	102	306		99	68	92	259		11	11		18	18
Winrevair		70	149	219							-	-		-	-
Adempas (6)	70	72	72	214		59	65	65	189		11	13		13	15
Virology
Lagevrio	350	110	383	843		392	203	640	1,236		-40	-36		-32	-27
Isentress/Isentress HD	111	89	102	302		123	136	119	377		-14	-10		-20	-16
Delstrigo	56	60	65	180		44	50	54	148		21	25		22	26
Pifeltro	42	39	42	123		34	38	37	109		14	15		13	14
Neuroscience
Belsomra	46	53	78	177		56	63	58	176		35	40		-	7
Immunology
Simponi	184	172	189	545		180	180	179	539		5	7		1	2
Remicade	39	35	41	115		51	48	45	144		-9	-5		-20	-16
Diabetes (7)
Januvia	419	405	278	1,102		551	511	581	1,642		-52	-49		-33	-30
Janumet	251	224	204	679		329	354	255	937		-20	-13		-28	-23
Other Pharmaceutical (8)	576	573	644	1,796		626	560	568	1,758		13	15		2	5
ANIMAL HEALTH	1,511	1,482	1,487	4,480		1,491	1,456	1,400	4,347		6	11		3	7
Livestock	850	837	886	2,573		849	807	874	2,530		1	7		2	7
Companion Animal	661	645	601	1,907		642	649	526	1,817		14	17		5	7
Other Revenues (9)	258	222	227	706		275	122	299	696		-24	-22		2	4
Sum of quarterly amounts may not equal year-to-date amounts due to rounding.
(1) Only select products are shown.
(2) Alliance Revenue represents Merck’s share of profits, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.
(3) Alliance Revenue represents royalties.
(4) Total Vaccines sales were $3,424 million, $3,656 million and $3,675 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2024, respectively, and $3,133 million, $3,557 million and $4,002 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2023, respectively.
(5) Alliance Revenue represents Merck's share of profits from sales in Bayer's marketing territories, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.
(6) Net product sales in Merck's marketing territories.
(7) Total Diabetes sales were $745 million, $715 million and $592 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2024, respectively, and $950 million, $951 million and $924 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2023, respectively.
(8) Includes Pharmaceutical products not individually shown above.
(9) Other Revenues are comprised primarily of revenues from third-party manufacturing arrangements and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue-hedging activities. Other Revenues related to the receipt of upfront and milestone payments for out-licensed products were $61 million, $15 million and $15 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2024, respectively, and $51 million, $3 million and $65 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2023, respectively.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031033115/en/

Media Contacts:



Robert Josephson

(203) 914-2372

robert.josephson@merck.com



Michael Levey

(215) 872-1462

michael.levey@merck.com



Investor Contacts:



Peter Dannenbaum

(732) 594-1579

peter.dannenbaum@merck.com



Steven Graziano

(732) 594-1583

steven.graziano@merck.com

Source: Merck & Co., Inc.

FAQ

What was Merck's (MRK) revenue in Q3 2024?

Merck's total worldwide sales in Q3 2024 were $16.7 billion, representing a 4% increase from Q3 2023.

How much did Merck's (MRK) KEYTRUDA sales grow in Q3 2024?

KEYTRUDA sales grew 17% to $7.4 billion in Q3 2024, or 21% excluding foreign exchange impact.

What is Merck's (MRK) full-year 2024 sales guidance?

Merck expects full-year 2024 worldwide sales to be between $63.6 billion and $64.1 billion.

What was Merck's (MRK) EPS in Q3 2024?

Merck reported GAAP EPS of $1.24 and Non-GAAP EPS of $1.57 in Q3 2024.