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Merck Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Financial Results

  • Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Sales Reflect Sustained Growth Across Oncology and Vaccines
  • Fourth-Quarter Worldwide Sales Were $14.6 Billion, an Increase of 6% From Fourth Quarter 2022; Excluding LAGEVRIO, Growth Was 11%; Excluding LAGEVRIO and the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Growth Was 13%
  • Fourth-Quarter GAAP Loss per Share Was $0.48; Non-GAAP EPS Was $0.03; GAAP Loss per Share and Non-GAAP EPS Include a Charge of $1.69 per Share for a Collaboration With Daiichi Sankyo
  • Full-Year Worldwide Sales Were $60.1 Billion, an Increase of 1% From Full-Year 2022; Excluding LAGEVRIO, Growth Was 9%; Excluding LAGEVRIO and the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Growth Was 12%
    • KEYTRUDA Sales Grew 19% to $25.0 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 21%
    • GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 Sales Grew 29% to $8.9 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 33%
    • LAGEVRIO Sales Declined 75% to $1.4 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Declined 74%
  • Full-Year 2023 GAAP EPS Was $0.14; Non-GAAP EPS Was $1.51; GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS Include Charges of $6.21 per Share for Certain Business Development Transactions
  • Obtained FDA Priority Review of Biologics License Applications for V116, an Investigational Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, as Well as Merck and Daiichi Sankyo’s Patritumab Deruxtecan, in the Fourth Quarter
  • Received Multiple FDA Approvals Across Oncology Portfolio in 2023
  • Initiated More Than 20 Phase 3 Study Starts, Including the Progression of Eight Novel Assets Into Phase 3 in 2023
  • Augmented Pipeline Through Acquisitions of Prometheus and Imago, and Collaboration Agreements With Daiichi Sankyo and Kelun-Biotech in 2023
  • Full-Year 2024 Financial Outlook
    • Anticipates Worldwide Sales To Be Between $62.7 Billion and $64.2 Billion
    • Expects Non-GAAP EPS To Be Between $8.44 and $8.59

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.

“2023 was another very strong year for Merck. I am extremely pleased by the progress we’ve made to develop and deliver transformative therapies and vaccines that will help save and improve lives around the world. We reached more than 500 million people with our medicines last year alone, over half of which were donations, including through our program to treat river blindness,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. “We also made investments of approximately $30 billion in research and development in our ongoing effort to discover, develop and collaborate to propel the next generation of impactful innovations. As we move forward, I’m confident that our strong momentum will continue, underpinned by the unwavering dedication of our talented global team.”

Financial Summary

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

Fourth Quarter

Year Ended

2023

2022

Change

Change Ex-Exchange

Dec. 31, 2023

Dec. 31, 2022

Change

Change Ex-Exchange

Sales

$14,630

$13,830

6%

7%

$60,115

$59,283

1%

4%

GAAP net (loss) income1

(1,226)

3,017

N/M

N/M

365

14,519

-97%

-95%

Non-GAAP net income that excludes certain items1,2*

66

4,129

-98%

N/M

3,837

19,005

-80%

-75%

GAAP EPS

(0.48)

1.18

N/M

N/M

0.14

5.71

-98%

-95%

Non-GAAP EPS that excludes certain items2*

0.03

1.62

-98%

N/M

1.51

7.48

-80%

-75%

*Refer to table on page 9.

N/M - Not meaningful

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) loss/earnings per share (EPS) assuming dilution was a loss per share of $0.48 for the fourth quarter and EPS of $0.14 for the full year of 2023. Non-GAAP EPS was $0.03 for the fourth quarter and $1.51 for the full year of 2023. GAAP loss per share and non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2023 include a charge of $1.69 per share related to the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS for the full years of 2023 and 2022 include charges of $6.21 and $0.22 per share, respectively, related to certain collaborations, licensing agreements and asset acquisitions.

Non-GAAP EPS excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, including pretax intangible asset impairment research and development (R&D) charges of $779 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 related to gefapixant, and $780 million and $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter and full year of 2022, respectively, primarily related to nemtabrutinib. Non-GAAP EPS also excludes restructuring costs, including costs for the recently approved 2024 Restructuring Program, as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities.

Fourth-Quarter Sales Performance

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

 

Fourth Quarter

$ in millions

2023

2022

Change

Change Ex-Exchange

Commentary

Total Sales

$14,630

$13,830

6%

7%

 

Pharmaceutical

13,141

12,180

8%

8%

Increase driven by growth in oncology, vaccines and hospital acute care, partially offset by a decline in virology, due to LAGEVRIO, and diabetes. Excluding LAGEVRIO and impact of foreign exchange, growth of 14%.

KEYTRUDA

6,608

5,450

21%

22%

Growth driven by increased global uptake in earlier-stage indications, including triple-negative breast cancer and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and continued strong global demand from metastatic indications.

GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9

1,871

1,470

27%

27%

Growth due to strong global demand, particularly in China, and public-sector buying patterns in the U.S.

JANUVIA/JANUMET

787

913

-14%

-13%

Decline primarily due to generic competition in several international markets, particularly in Europe, and lower demand in the U.S.

PROQUAD, M-M-R II and VARIVAX

545

526

4%

3%

Growth largely due to higher pricing in the U.S.

BRIDION

429

441

-3%

-3%

Decline primarily due to generic competition in certain ex-U.S. markets, particularly in Europe, partially offset by higher demand in the U.S.

Lynparza*

315

292

8%

8%

Growth driven primarily by higher pricing in the U.S.

Lenvima*

226

216

5%

5%

Growth primarily due to higher demand in the U.S., partially offset by timing of shipments in China.

LAGEVRIO

193

825

-77%

-76%

Decline due to nonrecurrence of sales in the U.K. and lower demand in Japan and Australia.

ROTATEQ

185

139

34%

33%

Growth primarily due to public-sector buying patterns in the U.S. and timing of shipments in China.

VAXNEUVANCE

176

138

28%

26%

Growth largely driven by launches in Europe and continued uptake for the pediatric indication in the U.S. Prior-year quarter benefited from inventory stocking in the U.S. in preparation for pediatric launch.

Animal Health

1,278

1,230

4%

4%

Growth primarily driven by higher demand for Companion Animal products.

Livestock

808

814

-1%

0%

Decline primarily due to timing of shipments for ruminant products, largely offset by higher pricing across the product portfolio and higher demand for swine products.

Companion Animal

470

416

13%

12%

Growth primarily due to higher demand and timing of shipments for BRAVECTO line of products, as well as higher pricing. Sales of BRAVECTO were $197 million and $168 million in the current and prior-year quarters, respectively, which represented growth of 18%, or 19% excluding the impact of foreign exchange.

Other Revenues**

211

420

-50%

-1%

Decline primarily due to impact of revenue hedging activities.

*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.

Full-Year Revenue Performance

The following table reflects sales of the company’s top pharmaceutical products, as well as sales of Animal Health products.

 

Year Ended

$ in millions

Dec. 31, 2023

Dec. 31, 2022

Change

Change Ex-Exchange

Total Sales

$60,115

$59,283

1%

4%

Pharmaceutical

53,583

52,005

3%

5%

KEYTRUDA

25,011

20,937

19%

21%

GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9

8,886

6,897

29%

33%

JANUVIA/JANUMET

3,366

4,513

-25%

-23%

PROQUAD, M-M-R II and VARIVAX

2,368

2,241

6%

6%

BRIDION

1,842

1,685

9%

11%

LAGEVRIO

1,428

5,684

-75%

-74%

Lynparza*

1,199

1,116

7%

9%

Lenvima*

960

876

10%

11%

ROTATEQ

769

783

-2%

-1%

VAXNEUVANCE

665

170

N/M

N/M

Animal Health

5,625

5,550

1%

3%

Livestock

3,337

3,300

1%

4%

Companion Animal

2,288

2,250

2%

3%

Other Revenues**

907

1,728

-48%

-15%

*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.

N/M - Not meaningful

Full-year 2023 pharmaceutical sales grew 3% to $53.6 billion. Pharmaceutical sales growth was primarily driven by higher sales in oncology, particularly KEYTRUDA, higher sales of vaccines, reflecting strong growth of combined sales of GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 and VAXNEUVANCE, as well as growth in hospital acute care products, including PREVYMIS and BRIDION. Pharmaceutical sales growth in 2023 was partially offset by lower sales of the COVID-19 medication LAGEVRIO, as well as lower sales of JANUVIA and JANUMET, primarily reflecting generic competition in many ex-U.S. markets and lower demand in the U.S., and lower sales of PNEUMOVAX 23 as the market continues to shift toward newer adult pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Pharmaceutical sales growth for the full year of 2023 was 14% excluding LAGEVRIO and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.

Full-year 2023 Animal Health sales grew 1% to $5.6 billion. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, Animal Health sales grew 3%, primarily due to higher pricing. Full-year sales growth was also driven by higher demand for livestock products, led by poultry and swine products, partially offset by lower demand for ruminant products. Sales of BRAVECTO were $1.1 billion in 2023, which represented growth of 4%, or 5% excluding the impact of foreign exchange, primarily reflecting higher pricing.

Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 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

Fourth Quarter 2023

Cost of sales

$3,911

$454

$117

$-

$3,340

Selling, general and administrative

2,804

24

29

-

2,751

Research and development

9,628

790

-

-

8,838

Restructuring costs

255

-

255

-

-

Other (income) expense, net

78

(35)

-

(61)

174

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fourth Quarter 2022

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

$3,881

$482

$38

$-

$3,361

Selling, general and administrative

2,687

39

20

-

2,628

Research and development

3,775

740

-

-

3,035

Restructuring costs

49

-

49

-

-

Other (income) expense, net

(75)

(69)

-

80

(86)

$ in millions

GAAP

Acquisition-

and

Divestiture-

Related Costs3

Restructuring

Costs

(Income)

Loss From

Investments

in Equity

Securities

 

 

 

 

Certain Other Items

Non-

GAAP2

Year Ended Dec. 31, 2023

 

Cost of sales

$16,126

$2,018

$211

$-

$-

$13,897

Selling, general and administrative

 

10,504

 

86

 

122

-

-

 

10,296

Research and development

30,531

819

1

-

-

29,711

Restructuring costs

599

-

599

-

-

-

Other (income) expense, net

466

(47)

-

(279)

573

219

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended Dec. 31, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

$17,411

$2,059

$205

$-

$-

$15,147

Selling, general and administrative

10,042

176

94

-

-

9,772

Research and development

13,548

1,676

30

-

-

11,842

Restructuring costs

337

-

337

-

-

-

Other (income) expense, net

1,501

(207)

-

1,348

-

360

GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 73.3% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with 71.9% for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impacts of lower LAGEVRIO sales, which have a low gross margin, lower manufacturing facilities costs and product mix, partially offset by the unfavorable impacts of foreign exchange and higher restructuring costs. Gross margin was 73.2% for the full year of 2023 compared with 70.6% for the full year of 2022. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impacts of lower LAGEVRIO sales, product mix, lower manufacturing facilities costs, and lower revenue from third-party manufacturing arrangements, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $2.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of 4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative costs, including higher compensation and benefit costs, partially offset by lower promotional spending. Full-year 2023 SG&A expenses were $10.5 billion, an increase of 5% compared with the full year of 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative costs, including higher compensation and benefit costs, and higher promotional spending, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange and lower acquisition- and divestiture-related costs.

R&D expenses were $9.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $3.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. R&D expenses were $30.5 billion for the full year of 2023 compared with $13.5 billion for the full year of 2022. The increase in the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 reflects a $5.5 billion charge for the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, and higher development costs due to spending on clinical programs, including newly acquired programs, as well as higher compensation and benefit costs (reflecting in part increased headcount). The increase in R&D expenses for the full year was also due to charges of $11.4 billion in the aggregate for the acquisitions of Prometheus Biosciences, Inc. (Prometheus) and Imago BioSciences, Inc. (Imago). The increase in R&D expenses for the full year was partially offset by lower intangible asset impairment charges in 2023 and charges of $690 million in the aggregate in 2022 for collaboration and licensing agreements with Moderna, Inc. (Moderna), Orna Therapeutics (Orna) and Orion Corporation (Orion).

Other (income) expense, net, was $78 million of expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $75 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher exchange losses and higher net interest expense, partially offset by net gains from investments in equity securities for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with net losses from investments in equity securities for the fourth quarter of 2022, and lower pension settlement costs. Other (income) expense, net, was $466 million of expense in the full year of 2023 compared with $1.5 billion of expense in the full year of 2022, primarily due to net gains from investments in equity securities in 2023 compared with net losses from investments in equity securities in 2022, and lower pension settlement costs, partially offset by a $572.5 million charge in 2023 related to settlements with certain plaintiffs in the Zetia antitrust litigation.

The effective tax rate was 40.1% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with 14.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 includes a 29.2 percentage point impact resulting from the charge for the Daiichi Sankyo collaboration. The effective tax rate was 80.0% for the full year of 2023 compared with 11.7% for the full year of 2022. The full-year 2023 effective tax rate reflects an aggregate 65.6 percentage point unfavorable impact, resulting from charges for asset acquisitions (for which no tax benefits were recognized) as well as the charge for the Daiichi Sankyo collaboration.

GAAP loss per share was $0.48 for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with EPS of $1.18 for the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily driven by the charge in 2023 related to the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and higher restructuring costs, partially offset by a beneficial impact from the tax rate and operational strength in the business. GAAP EPS was $0.14 for the full year of 2023 compared with EPS of $5.71 for the full year of 2022. The EPS decline in 2023 was primarily due to higher charges for certain business development transactions, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and the tax rate, as well as a charge related to settlements with certain plaintiffs in the Zetia antitrust litigation, partially offset by the beneficial impacts of operational strength in the business, better performance from equity investments and lower intangible asset impairment charges.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Non-GAAP gross margin was 77.2% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with 75.7% for the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP gross margin was 76.9% for the full year of 2023 compared with 74.4% for the full year of 2022. The non-GAAP gross margin improvement in the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 was primarily due to the favorable impacts of lower LAGEVRIO sales, which have a low gross margin, product mix, and lower manufacturing facilities costs. The increase in non-GAAP gross margin for the full year was also due to lower revenue from third-party manufacturing arrangements. The non-GAAP gross margin improvement in the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 was partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $2.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $2.6 billion for the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative costs, including higher compensation and benefit costs, partially offset by lower promotional spending. Full-year 2023 non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $10.3 billion, an increase of 5% compared with the full year of 2022. The increase was primarily due to higher administrative costs, including higher compensation and benefit costs, and higher promotional spending, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $8.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $3.0 billion in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $29.7 billion for the full year of 2023 compared with $11.8 billion for the full year of 2022. The increase in the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 reflects a $5.5 billion charge for the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, and higher development costs due to spending on clinical programs, including newly acquired programs, as well as higher compensation and benefit costs (reflecting in part increased headcount). The increase in non-GAAP R&D expenses for the full year was also due to charges of $11.4 billion in the aggregate for the acquisitions of Prometheus and Imago. The increase in R&D expenses for the full year was partially offset by charges of $690 million in the aggregate in 2022 for collaboration and licensing agreements with Moderna, Orna and Orion.

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $174 million of expense in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $86 million of income in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher exchange losses and higher net interest expense, partially offset by lower pension settlement costs. Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $219 million of expense in the full year of 2023 compared with $360 million of expense in the full year of 2022, primarily due to lower pension settlement costs.

The non-GAAP effective tax rate was 114.2% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with 15.6% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The non-GAAP effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 includes a 101.1 percentage point unfavorable impact resulting from the charge for the Daiichi Sankyo collaboration. The non-GAAP effective tax rate was 35.8% for the full year of 2023 compared with 14.2% for the full year of 2022. The full-year 2023 non-GAAP effective tax rate reflects an aggregate 21.2 percentage point unfavorable impact, resulting from charges for asset acquisitions (for which no benefits were recognized) as well as the charge for the Daiichi Sankyo collaboration.

Non-GAAP EPS was $0.03 for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with $1.62 for the fourth quarter of 2022. The non-GAAP EPS decline in the fourth quarter was primarily due to the charge in 2023 related to the collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange, partially offset by a beneficial impact from the tax rate and operational strength in the business. Non-GAAP EPS was $1.51 for the full year of 2023 compared with $7.48 for the full year of 2022. The non-GAAP EPS decline for the full year was primarily due to higher charges for certain business development transactions, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and the tax rate, partially offset by operational strength in the business.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net (loss) income and (loss) earnings per share is provided in the table that follows.

Fourth Quarter

Year Ended

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

2023

2022

Dec. 31, 2023

Dec. 31, 2022

EPS

 

 

 

 

GAAP EPS

$(0.48)

$1.18

$0.14

$5.71

Difference

0.51

0.44

1.37

1.77

Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2

$0.03

$1.62

$1.51

$7.48

 

 

 

 

 

Net (Loss) Income

 

 

 

 

GAAP net (loss) income1

$(1,226)

$3,017

$365

$14,519

Difference

1,292

1,112

3,472

4,486

Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below1,2

$66

$4,129

$3,837

$19,005

 

 

 

 

 

Excluded Items:

 

 

 

 

Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs3

$1,233

$1,192

$2,876

$3,704

Restructuring costs

401

107

933

666

(Income) loss from investments in equity securities

(61)

80

(279)

1,348

Charge for Zetia antitrust litigation settlements

-

-

573

-

Increase to net loss/decrease to net income before taxes

1,573

1,379

4,103

5,718

Estimated income tax (benefit) expense

(281)

(267)

(631)

(1,232)

Increase to net loss/decrease to net income

$1,292

$1,112

$3,472

$4,486

2024 Restructuring Program

Merck recently approved a new restructuring program (2024 Restructuring Program) intended to continue the optimization of the company’s Human Health global manufacturing network as the future pipeline shifts to new modalities, and also to optimize the Animal Health global manufacturing network to improve supply reliability and increase efficiency. The company recorded charges in its GAAP results of $190 million related to the 2024 Restructuring Program for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.

Pipeline and Portfolio Highlights

In the fourth quarter, Merck continued to make significant progress advancing its broad portfolio and pipeline across key therapeutic areas, representing continued momentum toward addressing patient needs.

In oncology, Merck received multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, including KEYTRUDA plus Padcev for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer and WELIREG for the treatment of certain patients with previously treated advanced RCC, among other approvals. The FDA also accepted and granted Priority Review to Merck and Daiichi Sankyo’s Biologics License Application (BLA) for patritumab deruxtecan for the treatment of certain patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The FDA set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of June 26, 2024. In addition, Merck showed meaningful progress in its robust oncology pipeline, initiating Phase 3 trials for four investigational medicines, including bomedemstat (LSD1 inhibitor), nemtabrutinib (BTK inhibitor), MK-2870 (anti-TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate) and MK-5684 (CYP11A1 inhibitor).

In vaccines, Merck received Priority Review from the FDA for a BLA for V116, the company’s investigational, 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine specifically designed to protect adults, based on results from multiple Phase 3 trials. The FDA set a PDUFA date of June 17, 2024. If approved, V116 would be the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to include serotypes responsible for approximately 83 percent of adult invasive pneumococcal disease in individuals 65 and older, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2018-2021.

In hospital acute care, the European Commission (EC) approved PREVYMIS for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in high-risk adult kidney transplant recipients and extended 200-day dosing in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients who are at high risk for late CMV infection and disease.

Merck continued to augment its pipeline through business development, and in January 2024, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. (Harpoon), for an approximate total equity value of $680 million, further diversifying its oncology pipeline.

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

Oncology

FDA Approved Expanded Indication for KEYTRUDA Plus Padcev as First-Line Treatment for Adult Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Cancer, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A39 Trial

(Read Announcement)

FDA Approved Merck’s WELIREG as Treatment for Patients With Advanced RCC Following a PD-1 or PD-L1 Inhibitor and a VEGF-TKI, Based on Results From LITESPARK-005 Trial

(Read Announcement)

FDA Approved Merck’s KEYTRUDA Plus Chemoradiotherapy as Treatment for Patients With FIGO 2014 Stage III-IVA Cervical Cancer, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-A18 Trial

(Read Announcement)

FDA Approved Merck’s KEYTRUDA Plus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic HER2-Negative Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Adenocarcinoma, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 Trial

(Read Announcement)

FDA Approved Merck’s KEYTRUDA Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin as Treatment for Patients With Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-966 Trial

(Read Announcement)

EC Approved KEYTRUDA Plus Chemotherapy for New First-Line Indications in Advanced HER2-Negative Gastric or GEJ Adenocarcinoma in Tumors Expressing PD-L1 (CPS ≥1) and Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-859 and KEYNOTE-966 Trials

(Read Announcement)

FDA Granted Priority Review to Merck and Daiichi Sankyo’s BLA for Patritumab Deruxtecan for the Treatment of Certain Patients With Previously Treated Locally Advanced or Metastatic EGFR-Mutated NSCLC, Based on Results From Phase 2 HERTHENA-Lung01 Trial; FDA Set PDUFA Date of June 26, 2024

(Read announcement)

Merck Announced Phase 3 Trial Initiations for Bomedemstat, Nemtabrutinib, MK-2870 and MK-5684, Four Investigational Candidates From Promising Hematology and Oncology Pipeline

(Read announcement)

Merck and Moderna Initiated INTerpath-002, a Phase 3 Study Evaluating V940 (mRNA-4157) in Combination With KEYTRUDA for Adjuvant Treatment of Patients With Certain Types of Resected NSCLC

(Read Announcement)

KEYTRUDA Reduced the Risk of Death by 38% Versus Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With RCC at an Increased Risk of Recurrence Following Nephrectomy, Based on Results From Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 Trial

(Read Announcement)

KEYTRUDA Significantly Improved Disease-Free Survival as Adjuvant Therapy Versus Observation in High-Risk Patients With Localized Muscle-Invasive and Locally Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma After Surgery, Based on Results From Phase 3 AMBASSADOR/KEYNOTE-123 Trial

(Read Announcement)

Moderna and Merck Announced V940 (mRNA-4157) in Combination With KEYTRUDA Demonstrated Continued Improvement in Recurrence-Free Survival and Distant Metastasis-Free Survival in Patients With High-Risk Stage III/IV Melanoma Following Complete Resection Versus KEYTRUDA at Three Years, Based on Results From Phase 2b Randomized KEYNOTE-942/mRNA-4157-P201 Study

(Read Announcement)

Vaccines

FDA Granted Priority Review to Merck’s New BLA for V116, an Investigational, 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Specifically Designed to Protect Adults, Based on Results From Multiple Phase 3 Trials; FDA Set PDUFA Date of June 17, 2024

(Read Announcement)

Merck’s V116, an Investigational, 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Specifically Designed to Protect Adults, Demonstrated Superior Immunogenicity for 10 of 11 Unique Serotypes Compared to PCV20 in Adults 50 Years of Age and Older, Based on Results From Phase 3 STRIDE-3 Trial

(Read Announcement)

Full-Year 2024 Financial Outlook

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

 

Full Year 2024

Sales*

$62.7 to $64.2 billion

Non-GAAP gross margin2

Approximately 80.5%

Non-GAAP operating expenses2**

$25.1 to $26.1 billion

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net2

Approximately $200 million expense

Non-GAAP effective tax rate2

14.5% to 15.5%

Non-GAAP EPS2***

$8.44 to $8.59

Share count (assuming dilution)

Approximately 2.54 billion

*The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to sales.

**Includes approximately $650 million of R&D expense related to the recently announced Harpoon acquisition, which is expected to close in the first half of 2024. Outlook does not assume any additional significant potential business development transactions.

***Includes a one-time charge of approximately $0.26 per share related to the Harpoon acquisition.

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 income 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 anticipates full-year 2024 sales to be between $62.7 billion and $64.2 billion, including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately 2% at mid-January 2024 exchange rates. The negative impact is primarily due to the devaluation of the Argentine peso, which the company expects will largely be offset by inflation-related price increases, consistent with market practice.

The outlook for operating expenses reflects incremental R&D spending expected to be incurred to advance the development of promising programs related to the acquisitions of Prometheus, Imago and Harpoon, as well as the collaborations with Daiichi Sankyo and Kelun-Biotech.

Merck’s full-year non-GAAP effective income tax rate is expected to be between 14.5% and 15.5%.

Merck expects full-year 2024 non-GAAP EPS to be between $8.44 and $8.59, including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately $0.25 per share. In 2023, non-GAAP EPS of $1.51 was negatively impacted by charges of $6.21 per share related to certain acquisitions and collaboration agreements.

In early January 2024, Merck announced the acquisition of Harpoon, which is expected to close in the first half of 2024, and result in a non-tax deductible charge of approximately $650 million of R&D expense included in non-GAAP results. The impact of the transaction on expected full-year non-GAAP EPS is approximately $0.26 per share, which is included in the 2024 outlook.

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

Earnings Conference Call

Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the earnings conference call on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 9 a.m. ET via this weblink. A replay of the webcast, along with the sales and earnings news release, supplemental financial disclosures, prepared remarks and slides highlighting the results, will be available at www.merck.com.

All participants may join the call by dialing (800) 779-6561 (U.S. and Canada Toll-Free) or (773) 756-4619 and using the access code 5958465.

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 the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); 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, 2022, 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)

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)

PNEUMOVAX 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent)

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)

WELIREG (belzutifan)

Animal Health

BRAVECTO (fluralaner)

________________________________
1 Net (loss) income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
2 Merck is providing certain 2023 and 2022 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, senior management’s annual compensation is derived in part using a non-GAAP pre-tax 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 Includes expenses for the amortization of intangible assets and purchase accounting adjustments to inventories recognized as a result of acquisitions of businesses, intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration. R&D expenses include intangible asset impairment charges of $779 million in both the fourth quarter and full year of 2023 related to gefapixant and $780 million and $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter and full year of 2022, respectively, largely related to nemtabrutinib. 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 OPERATIONS - GAAP
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 1
 
GAAP   % Change GAAP   % Change
   

 

4Q23

 

 

4Q22

 

  Full Year 2023 Full Year 2022  
   
 
Sales

 $

14,630

 

 $

13,830

 

 

6

%

 

 $

60,115

 

 $

59,283

 

 

1

%

                 
Costs, Expenses and Other                  
Cost of sales

 

3,911

 

 

3,881

 

 

1

%

 

 

16,126

 

 

17,411

 

 

-7

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,804

 

 

2,687

 

 

4

%

 

 

10,504

 

 

10,042

 

 

5

%

Research and development

 

9,628

 

 

3,775

 

  *  

 

30,531

 

 

13,548

 

 
Restructuring costs 

 

255

 

 

49

 

  *  

 

599

 

 

337

 

 

78

%

Other (income) expense, net 

 

78

 

 

(75

)

  *  

 

466

 

 

1,501

 

 

-69

%

(Loss) Income Before Taxes 

 

(2,046

)

 

3,513

 

  *  

 

1,889

 

 

16,444

 

 

-89

%

Income Tax (Benefit) Provision

 

(821

)

 

495

 

     

 

1,512

 

 

1,918

 

   
Net (Loss) Income 

 

(1,225

)

 

3,018

 

  *  

 

377

 

 

14,526

 

 

-97

%

Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 

1

 

 

1

 

     

 

12

 

 

7

 

   
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

 $

(1,226

)

 $

3,017

 

  *  

 $

365

 

 $

14,519

 

 

-97

%

                 
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution (1)

 $

(0.48

)

 $

1.18

 

  *  

 $

0.14

 

 $

5.71

 

 

-98

%

   
Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution (1)

 

2,533

 

 

2,548

 

 

2,547

 

 

2,542

 

Tax Rate 

 

40.1

%

 

14.1

%

 

80.0

%

 

11.7

%

 
* 100% or greater
(1) Because the company recorded a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, no potential dilutive common shares were used in the computation of loss per common share assuming dilution as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. 
MERCK & CO., INC. 
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2023 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
 
Fourth Quarter  
Cost of sales

 $

3,911

 

454

 

117

 

 

571

 

 $

3,340

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,804

 

24

 

29

 

 

53

 

 

2,751

 

Research and development

 

9,628

 

790

 

 

790

 

 

8,838

 

Restructuring costs

 

255

 

255

 

 

255

 

 

 –

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

78

 

(35

)

(61

)

 

(96

)

 

174

 

Loss Before Taxes

 

(2,046

)

(1,233

)

(401

)

61

 

 

(1,573

)

 

(473

)

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

 

(821

)

(227

)

(4

)

(67

)

(4

)

13

 

(4

)

(281

)

 

(540

)

Net (Loss) Income

 

(1,225

)

(1,006

)

(334

)

48

 

 

(1,292

)

 

67

 

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

 

(1,226

)

(1,006

)

(334

)

48

 

 

(1,292

)

 

66

 

(Loss) Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution (5)

 $

(0.48

)

(0.40

)

(0.13

)

0.02

 

(0.51

)

 $

0.03

 

 
Tax Rate 

 

40.1

%

 

 

114.2

%

 
Full Year  
Cost of sales

 $

16,126

 

2,018

 

211

 

 

2,229

 

 $

13,897

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

10,504

 

86

 

122

 

 

208

 

 

10,296

 

Research and development

 

30,531

 

819

 

1

 

 

820

 

 

29,711

 

Restructuring costs

 

599

 

599

 

 

599

 

 

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

466

 

(47

)

(279

)

 

573

 

(3

)

247

 

 

219

 

Income Before Taxes

 

1,889

 

(2,876

)

(933

)

279

 

 

(573

)

(4,103

)

 

5,992

 

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

 

1,512

 

(476

)

(4

)

(155

)

(4

)

60

 

(4

)

(60

)

(4

)

(631

)

 

2,143

 

Net Income

 

377

 

(2,400

)

(778

)

219

 

 

(513

)

(3,472

)

 

3,849

 

Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

 

365

 

(2,400

)

(778

)

219

 

 

(513

)

(3,472

)

 

3,837

 

Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution

 $

0.14

 

(0.94

)

(0.31

)

0.08

 

 

(0.20

)

 

(1.37

)

 $

1.51

 

 
Tax Rate 

 

80.0

%

 

35.8

%

 
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, senior management’s annual 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 a $779 million in-process research and development (IPR&D) impairment charge related to gefapixant, which was obtained as part of the 2016 Afferent Pharmaceuticals acquisition, and expenses for the amortization of intangible assets. Amounts included in other (income) expense, net, primarily reflect royalty income related to the prior termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture. Additionally, other (income) expense, net, for the full year includes a $37 million loss on the sale of a business.
 
(2) Amounts primarily include employee separation costs and accelerated depreciation associated with facilities to be closed or divested related to activities under the company's formal restructuring programs.
 
(3) Reflects a charge related to settlements with certain plaintiffs in the Zetia antitrust litigation.
 
(4) Represents the estimated tax impacts on the reconciling items based on applying the statutory rate of the originating territory of the non-GAAP adjustments.
 
(5) Because the company recorded a net loss in the fourth quarter of 2023, no potential dilutive common shares were used in the computation of loss per common share assuming dilution as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
MERCK & CO., INC.
FRANCHISE / KEY PRODUCT SALES
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 3
 

2023

 

2022

 

4Q

 

Full Year

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

Full Year

 

1Q

2Q

3Q

4Q

Full Year

 

Nom %

Ex-Exch %

 

Nom %

Ex-Exch %

TOTAL SALES (1) 

$14,487

$15,035

$15,962

$14,630

$60,115

 

$15,901

$14,593

$14,959

$13,830

$59,283

6

7

1

4

PHARMACEUTICAL

12,721

13,457

14,263

13,141

53,583

 

14,107

12,756

12,963

12,180

52,005

8

8

3

5

Oncology                            
Keytruda

5,795

6,271

6,338

6,608

25,011

4,809

5,252

5,426

5,450

20,937

21

22

19

21

Alliance Revenue – Lynparza (2)

275

310

299

315

1,199

266

275

284

292

1,116

8

8

7

9

Alliance Revenue – Lenvima (2)

232

242

260

226

960

227

231

202

216

876

5

5

10

11

Welireg

42

50

54

72

218

18

27

38

40

123

79

78

77

77

Alliance Revenue – Reblozyl (3)

43

47

52

70

212

52

33

39

41

166

69

69

28

28

Vaccines (4)                            
Gardasil / Gardasil 9

1,972

2,458

2,585

1,871

8,886

1,460

1,674

2,294

1,470

6,897

27

27

29

33

ProQuad / M-M-R II / Varivax

528

582

713

545

2,368

470

578

668

526

2,241

4

3

6

6

RotaTeq

297

131

156

185

769

216

173

256

139

783

34

33

-2

-1

Vaxneuvance

106

168

214

176

665

5

12

16

138

170

28

26

* *
Pneumovax 23

96

92

140

85

412

173

153

131

145

602

-42

-43

-32

-31

Vaqta

40

42

69

29

180

36

35

64

39

173

-24

-25

4

4

Hospital Acute Care                            
Bridion

487

502

424

429

1,842

395

426

423

441

1,685

-3

-3

9

11

Prevymis

129

143

157

175

605

94

103

114

118

428

49

49

41

43

Dificid

65

76

74

87

302

52

66

77

67

263

30

30

15

15

Zerbaxa

50

54

53

61

218

30

46

43

49

169

25

23

29

30

Noxafil

60

55

51

46

213

57

60

62

58

238

-21

-16

-11

-4

Primaxin

80

53

41

39

213

58

64

63

54

239

-28

-28

-11

-6

Cardiovascular                            
Alliance Revenue - Adempas/Verquvo (5)

99

68

92

108

367

72

98

88

82

341

31

31

8

8

Adempas (6)

59

65

65

66

255

61

63

57

57

238

15

11

7

8

Virology                            
Lagevrio

392

203

640

193

1,428

3,247

1,177

436

825

5,684

-77

-76

-75

-74

Isentress / Isentress HD

123

136

119

105

483

158

147

161

167

633

-37

-37

-24

-23

Neuroscience                            
Belsomra

56

63

58

54

231

69

69

62

59

258

-8

-6

-11

-6

Immunology                            
Simponi

180

180

179

171

710

186

181

173

166

706

3

-2

1

-

Remicade

51

48

45

43

187

61

53

49

44

207

-1

-2

-9

-8

Diabetes (7)                            
Januvia

551

511

581

547

2,189

779

756

717

561

2,813

-2

-2

-22

-20

Janumet

329

354

255

240

1,177

454

476

417

353

1,700

-32

-32

-31

-29

Other Pharmaceutical (8)

584

553

549

595

2,283

602

528

603

583

2,319

2

2

-2

-

ANIMAL HEALTH

1,491

1,456

1,400

1,278

5,625

1,482

1,467

1,371

1,230

5,550

4

4

1

3

Livestock

849

807

874

808

3,337

832

826

829

814

3,300

-1

-

1

4

Companion Animal

642

649

526

470

2,288

650

641

542

416

2,250

13

12

2

3

Other Revenues (9)

275

122

299

211

907

312

370

625

420

1,728

-50

-1

-48

-15

 
*200% or greater
 
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 and a milestone payment of $20 million received in the first quarter of 2022.
 
(4) Total Vaccines sales were $3,133 million, $3,557 million, $4,002 million and $2,962 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively, and $2,481 million, $2,709 million, $3,552 million and $2,554 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarter of 2022, 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 $950 million, $951 million, $924 million and $876 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively, and $1,305 million, $1,300 million, $1,231 million and $1,012 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarter of 2022, 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 $51 million, $3 million and $65 million in the first, second and third quarter of 2023, respectively, and $114 million, $32 million, $10 million and $10 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarter of 2022, respectively.

 

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