On October 27, 2022 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported financial results for the third quarter of 2022 (Press release, Merck & Co, OCT 27, 2022, View Source [SID1234622497]).
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"We continue to execute on our strategy, invest in leading-edge science and drive innovation as our colleagues deliver meaningful value for patients – which in turn provides value for our shareholders," said Robert M. Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck. "Our third quarter results demonstrate exceptional revenue and underlying earnings growth and sustained performance across our key growth drivers. Inspired by our purpose of saving and improving lives around the world, I am confident we are well-positioned to continue to deliver strong operational performance."
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings per share (EPS) assuming dilution was $1.28 for the third quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.85 for the third quarter of 2022 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and restructuring costs, as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities. In 2022, the company changed the treatment of certain items for purposes of its non-GAAP reporting. Results for 2021 have been recast to conform to the new presentation. For more information, refer to the Form 8-K filed by the company on April 21, 2022.
Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.
Cardiovascular pipeline highlights
Merck announced positive results from its pivotal Phase 3 STELLAR trial evaluating sotatercept, the company’s investigational activin receptor type IIA-Fc fusion protein, as an add-on to stable background therapy for the treatment of adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The trial met its primary efficacy outcome measure, demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) from baseline at 24 weeks, and eight out of nine secondary efficacy outcome measures, including the outcome measure of proportion of participants achieving multicomponent improvement [defined as improvement in 6MWD, improvement in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, and either improvement in WHO Functional Class (FC) or maintenance of WHO FC II] and the outcome measure of time to death or the first occurrence of a clinical worsening event. The Cognitive/Emotional Impacts domain score of PAH-SYMPACT, which was assessed as the ninth and final secondary outcome measure, did not achieve statistical significance. Results will be presented at an upcoming scientific congress.
Merck received a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for MK-2060, an investigational anticoagulant therapy for the reduction in risk of major thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage renal disease.
Oncology program highlights
Merck announced clinical trial results for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, and Lynparza (olaparib), an oral poly (ADP-ribose) PARP inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca, at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2022, including:
Five-year overall survival (OS) data from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-189 trial (KEYTRUDA plus pemetrexed and either cisplatin or carboplatin) in patients with metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-407 trial (KEYTRUDA plus carboplatin-paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel) in patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC.
In collaboration with Seagen and Astellas, the first presentation of data from Cohort K of the Phase 1b/2 EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 trial evaluating Padcev (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) in combination with KEYTRUDA as first-line treatment for patients with cisplatin-ineligible unresectable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer.
Seven-year OS data from the Phase 3 SOLO-1 trial evaluating Lynparza as maintenance treatment in patients with advanced BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer, following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy, and final OS results from the Phase 3 PAOLA-1 trial evaluating Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab as maintenance treatment in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who were without evidence of disease after surgery or following response to platinum-based chemotherapy. The results of both trials were clinically meaningful in certain types of patients, but did not reach statistical significance.
Merck announced that KEYTRUDA received four new approvals in Japan; KEYTRUDA is now approved in Japan for 23 uses in 11 different types of cancer, plus microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and tumor mutational burden-high solid tumors.
Merck announced the following regulatory milestones for Lynparza:
Priority review granted by the FDA for a supplemental New Drug Application for Lynparza in combination with abiraterone and prednisone or prednisolone for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), based on results from the Phase 3 PROpel trial. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Approved in the European Union (EU) and Japan as adjuvant treatment for patients with germline BRCA-mutated, HER2-negative high-risk early breast cancer, based on results from the Phase 3 OlympiA trial.
Approved in China as first-line maintenance treatment with bevacizumab for patients with homologous recombination deficient-positive advanced ovarian cancer, based on results from the Phase 3 PAOLA-1 trial.
Merck provided updates on three Phase 3 trials: KEYNOTE-412, KEYNOTE-921 and LEAP-002.
Vaccines program highlights
Merck announced European Commission approval of an expanded indication for VAXNEUVANCE (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to include active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease, pneumonia and acute otitis media caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) in infants, children and adolescents from 6 weeks to less than 18 years of age.
Merck received approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration to expand the use of GARDASIL 9 [Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant] for use in girls and women ages 9 to 45. The vaccine was previously approved for use in women ages 16 to 26.
Infectious diseases pipeline highlights
Merck will initiate a new Phase 3 clinical program with islatravir for the treatment of people with HIV-1 infection. These new Phase 3 studies will evaluate a once-daily oral combination of doravirine 100 mg and islatravir (DOR/ISL) 0.25 mg.
Merck and Gilead Sciences will resume the Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating an investigational oral once-weekly combination treatment regimen of islatravir and Gilead’s lenacapavir in adults with HIV-1 infection who are virologically suppressed.
Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics (Ridgeback) provided an update on a preliminary analysis of the University of Oxford’s open label prospective real-world evidence study, PANORAMIC, of LAGEVRIO (molnupiravir).
Business development highlights
Merck and Moderna, Inc. (Moderna) announced that Merck has exercised its option to jointly develop and commercialize personalized cancer vaccine mRNA-4157/V940 pursuant to the terms of its existing collaboration and license agreement. mRNA-4157/V940 is currently being evaluated in combination with KEYTRUDA as adjuvant treatment for patients with high-risk melanoma in a Phase 2 clinical trial being conducted by Moderna.
Merck and Orna Therapeutics (Orna) announced a collaboration agreement to discover, develop and commercialize multiple programs, including vaccines and therapeutics in the areas of infectious diseases and oncology. This collaboration will combine Merck’s expertise in nucleic acid biology, clinical development, and manufacturing with Orna’s circular RNA technology.
Merck and Orion Corporation (Orion) formed a global development and commercialization agreement for Orion’s investigational candidate ODM-208/MK-5684 and other drugs targeting cytochrome P450 11A1 (CYP11A1), an enzyme important in steroid production. ODM-208/MK-5684 is an oral, non-steroidal inhibitor of CYP11A1 currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with mCRPC.
Merck acquired Vence, an innovator in virtual fencing for rotational grazing and livestock management, which complements Merck Animal Health’s broad portfolio of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and animal intelligence solutions.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) highlights
Merck issued its 2021/2022 ESG Progress Report, highlighting the company’s performance and progress in ESG efforts across four main focus areas: Access to Health, Employees, Environmental Sustainability and Ethics & Values. These efforts come as part of a long-standing commitment to operating responsibly and creating value for patients and shareholders.
Merck launched the Alliance for Equity in Cancer Care, an initiative to advance equity in cancer care in the U.S. by helping patients living in underserved communities receive timely access to high-quality, culturally responsive care.
Merck was recognized on Fortune’s 2022 Change the World list for its work to make HPV vaccines broadly available in underserved countries through partnerships and manufacturing investments.
Third-quarter revenue performance
The following table reflects sales of the company’s top pharmaceutical products, as well as sales of Animal Health products.
Pharmaceutical revenue
Third-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 13% to $13.0 billion. Pharmaceutical sales growth in the third quarter was 9% excluding LAGEVRIO sales and 15% excluding LAGEVRIO sales and the impact of foreign exchange, primarily driven by oncology, vaccines and hospital acute care products. The COVID-19 pandemic unfavorably affected sales in the third quarter of 2021 by approximately $350 million, which favorably impacted the growth rate in the third quarter of 2022.
Growth in oncology was largely driven by higher sales of KEYTRUDA, which rose 20% to $5.4 billion in the quarter. Global sales growth of KEYTRUDA reflects continued strong momentum from metastatic indications including certain types of NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and MSI-H cancers, and increased uptake across recent earlier-stage launches including certain types of neoadjuvant/adjuvant TNBC in the U.S.
Growth in vaccines was primarily driven by higher combined sales of GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent [Types 6, 11, 16 and 18] Vaccine, Recombinant) and GARDASIL 9 vaccines to prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by HPV. Third-quarter GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales grew 15% to $2.3 billion, primarily driven by strong demand outside of the U.S., particularly in China, which also benefited from increased supply. Additionally, higher sales in the U.S. reflect public sector buying patterns. Growth in vaccines was partially offset by lower sales of PNEUMOVAX 23 (pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent), a vaccine to help prevent pneumococcal disease, which declined 53% to $131 million primarily reflecting lower U.S. demand as the market continues to shift toward newer adult pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
Growth in hospital acute care reflects higher demand globally for BRIDION (sugammadex) injection 100 mg/mL, a medicine for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide or vecuronium bromide in adults and pediatric patients ages 2 years and older undergoing surgery. Sales increased 15% to $423 million, primarily due to an increase in its share among neuromuscular blockade reversal agents and an increase in surgical procedures. Growth in hospital acute care also reflects higher sales of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam), a combination cephalosporin antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitor for the treatment of adults with certain bacterial infections. Sales of $43 million resulted from the phased resupply initiated in the fourth quarter of 2021, which has been completed in 2022.
Pharmaceutical sales growth was partially offset by lower combined sales of JANUVIA (sitagliptin) and JANUMET (sitagliptin and metformin HCI), which declined 15% to $1.1 billion, primarily reflecting lower demand and pricing in certain international markets as a result of generic competition, particularly in Europe, and lower demand in the U.S. The company lost market exclusivity for JANUVIA and JANUMET in China in July and in the EU in September, although JANUMET currently continues to have exclusivity in certain European markets.
Animal Health revenue
Animal Health sales totaled $1.4 billion for the third quarter of 2022, a decline of 3% compared with the third quarter of 2021. Excluding the unfavorable effect from foreign exchange, Animal Health sales grew 4% primarily reflecting higher pricing. Sales of livestock products also reflect higher demand for poultry products. Sales of companion animal products also reflect higher demand for the BRAVECTO (fluralaner) parasiticide line of products, partially offset by supply constraints for certain vaccines.
GAAP expense, EPS and related information
Gross margin was 73.7% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 73.8% for the third quarter of 2021. The decrease primarily reflects the impacts of higher revenue from third-party manufacturing arrangements and sales of LAGEVRIO, both of which have lower gross margins, as well as higher acquisition- and divestiture-related costs. The gross margin decline was largely offset by the favorable effects of product mix and foreign exchange.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 8% compared to the third quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects higher administrative costs, including compensation and benefit costs, as well as higher promotional spending, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.
Research and development (R&D) expenses were $4.4 billion in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects $887 million of intangible asset impairment charges related to the ArQule, Inc. acquisition, charges related to collaboration and licensing agreements with Moderna, Orna and Orion and higher clinical development spending.
Other (income) expense, net, was $429 million of expense in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $450 million of income in the third quarter of 2021, primarily due to net unrealized losses from investments in equity securities in the third quarter of 2022, compared to net unrealized income from investments in equity securities in the third quarter of 2021. Other (income) expense, net, in the third quarter of 2022 also reflects lower pension costs compared to the third quarter of 2021.
The effective income tax rate was 9.2% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 13.2% in the third quarter of 2021.
GAAP EPS was $1.28 for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.80 for the third quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP expense, EPS and related information
Non-GAAP gross margin was 77.0% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 76.8% for the third quarter of 2021. The increase in non-GAAP gross margin primarily reflects the favorable effects of product mix and foreign exchange, largely offset by the impacts of higher revenue from third-party manufacturing arrangements and sales of LAGEVRIO, both of which have lower gross margins.
Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2022, an increase of 9% compared to the third quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects higher administrative costs, including compensation and benefit costs, as well as higher promotional spending, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.
Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $3.5 billion in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects charges related to collaboration and licensing agreements with Moderna, Orna and Orion and higher clinical development spending.
Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $105 million of expense in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $244 million of expense in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting lower pension costs.
The non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 13.6% for the third quarter of 2022 compared to 12.8% in the third quarter of 2021.
Non-GAAP EPS was $1.85 for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $1.78 for the third quarter of 2021.
A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.
Financial outlook
Beginning in 2022, Merck no longer excludes expenses for upfront and milestone payments related to collaboration and licensing agreements, or charges related to pre-approval assets obtained in transactions accounted for as asset acquisitions from its non-GAAP results. Historically, the company excluded these charges to the extent they were considered by the company to be significant to the results of a particular period. These changes were made to align with views expressed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior periods have been recast to reflect this change. For 2021, non-GAAP results have been recast to include $1.7 billion of incremental R&D expense, resulting in revised full-year 2021 EPS of $5.37.
Full-year 2022 GAAP and non-GAAP results include $690 million of incremental R&D expense, recorded in the third quarter of 2022, for collaboration and licensing agreements with Moderna, Orna and Orion which negatively impacts expected full-year EPS by $0.22.
As an on-going practice, the financial outlook will not include significant potential business development transactions.
Merck continues to experience strong global momentum across its key pillars of growth, particularly in oncology and vaccines. As a result, Merck is raising and narrowing its full-year outlook for sales and non-GAAP EPS, despite a negative impact from foreign exchange.
At mid-October 2022 exchange rates, Merck expects sales growth of 20% to 21% in 2022, with full-year sales estimated to be between $58.5 billion and $59.0 billion, including a negative impact from foreign exchange of approximately 4%, including a less than 1% incremental negative impact from prior sales outlook. Excluding LAGEVRIO, Merck expects sales growth of approximately 12% for full-year 2022.
Merck expects its full-year non-GAAP effective income tax rate to be approximately 14%.
Merck is lowering its expected full-year 2022 GAAP EPS to be between $5.68 and $5.73.
Merck is raising and narrowing its expected full-year 2022 non-GAAP EPS to be between $7.32 and $7.37, including a negative impact from foreign exchange of approximately 4% at mid-October exchange rates. Operational strength of approximately $0.20 is partially offset by the following negative impacts, which were not reflected previously in the outlook:
An option payment to Moderna of $250 million
A less than 1% incremental impact from foreign exchange
The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and costs related to restructuring programs as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities.
The company is narrowing its expected full year sales range of LAGEVRIO to be between $5.2 billion and $5.4 billion. Merck shares profits equally with its partner, Ridgeback, which is reflected in cost of sales.
The following table summarizes the company’s full-year 2022 financial outlook.
A reconciliation of anticipated full-year 2022 GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS and the items excluded from non-GAAP EPS are provided in the table below.
Earnings conference call
Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the call Thursday, Oct. 27, at 8:00 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.
Participants may join the call by dialing (877) 692-8955 (USA Toll-Free) or (243) 720-6979 (USA Caller Paid). If you are calling from other countries, visit this weblink. All dial-in participants can use the access code 9646315. Journalists who wish to ask questions are requested to contact a member of Merck’s Media Relations team.