On August 7, 2025 Arcellx, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLX), a biotechnology company reimagining cell therapy through the development of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer and other incurable diseases, reported business highlights and financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Arcellx, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654961]).

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!

"The data presented for all 117 patients enrolled in the registrational iMMagine-1 study continue to demonstrate anito-cel’s potential to be a life-changing therapy for multiple myeloma patients," said Rami Elghandour, Arcellx’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Along with our partners at Kite, we are planning to execute our anticipated 2026 commercial launch with the goal of ensuring access to as many patients as could benefit as rapidly as possible. To that end, we expect to launch in over 160 authorized treatment centers in the United States within the first year on the market and to have an adequate supply to meet physician expectations. We’re committed to delivering on the potential of anito-cel by ensuring best-in-class support and operational execution alongside our partners at Kite, who are the leaders in cell therapy. We are grateful for the patients, caregivers, and physicians who participated in our multiple myeloma anito-cel program, providing us an opportunity to advance this therapy to more patients in need. We look forward to sharing longer-term data from the iMMagine-1 study later this year. Additionally, it’s exciting to have engaged with the Food and Drug Administration and have our IND cleared earlier than expected for our next AML clinical program targeting CD33 and CD123 utilizing our ARC-SparX platform."

Recent Business Progress

Presented positive preliminary data for the Phase 2 pivotal iMMagine-1 study of anito-cel in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper)2025. The Phase 2 iMMagine-1 data were from a May 1, 2025 data cutoff date, including all 117 patients with a median follow-up of 12.6 months and a minimum follow-up of four months after treatment with anito-cel. All patients received a single infusion of anito-cel (target dose of 115×106 CAR+ viable T cells). 100 of 117 patients (85%) were triple refractory, and 47 of 117 patients (40%) were penta refractory. Patients received a median of three prior lines of therapy, with 60 of 117 patients (51%) having received three prior lines.

Overall response rate (ORR) was 97% (114/117) with a complete response/stringent complete response (CR/sCR) rate of 68% (79/117) and a very good partial response or higher (>VGPR) rate of 85% (100/117), per International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria as investigator-assessed. Of those evaluable for minimal residual disease (MRD) testing at the time of this data cut, 93.3% (70/75) achieved MRD negativity at a minimum of 10-5 sensitivity. Six-month, 12-month, and 18-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 92%, 79% and 66%, respectively, and six-month, 12-month, and 18-month overall survival (OS) rates were 97%, 95%, and 90% respectively. Median PFS and median OS have not been reached.

No delayed or non-immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) neurotoxicities, including no Parkinsonism, no cranial nerve palsies, and no Guillain-Barré syndrome, and no immune-mediated enterocolitis were observed with anito-cel. No additional treatment- or therapy-related deaths or Grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) or ICANS events occurred since the previous data presentation in December 2024.

Received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for the clearance of an Investigational New Drug application for ACLX-004 targeting CD33 and CD123 utilizing the Company’s ARC-SparX platform.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities:
As of June 30, 2025, Arcellx had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $537.6 million. Arcellx anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities will fund its operations into 2028.

Collaboration revenue:
Collaboration revenue was $7.6 million and $27.4 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, a decrease of $19.8 million. This decrease was primarily driven by completion of dosing and manufacturing of anito-cel in the iMMagine-1 trial in the fourth quarter of 2024.

R&D expenses:
Research and development expenses were $37.6 million and $41.0 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, a decrease of $3.4 million. This decrease was primarily driven by completion of dosing and manufacturing of anito-cel in the iMMagine-1 trial in the fourth quarter of 2024, partially offset by increased personnel costs, which includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

G&A expenses:
General and administrative expenses were $28.7 million and $21.4 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, an increase of $7.3 million. This increase was primarily driven by increased commercial readiness costs and personnel costs, which includes non-cash stock-based compensation expense.

Net income or loss:
Net loss was $52.8 million and $27.2 million for the quarters ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

On August 7, 2025 Alector, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALEC), a late-stage clinical biotechnology company focused on developing therapies to counteract the devastating progression of neurodegeneration, reported second quarter 2025 financial results and recent portfolio and business updates (Press release, Alector, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654960]). As of June 30, 2025, Alector’s cash, cash equivalents, and investments totaled $307.3 million.

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!

"The topline results from the pivotal INFRONT-3 Phase 3 trial of latozinemab, expected by mid-fourth quarter, represent a key inflection point for Alector and for the FTD community," said Arnon Rosenthal, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Alector. "FTD is a devastating form of dementia that affects people in the prime of life, has no approved treatments, and is often fatal within a decade of diagnosis. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the GRN gene reduce progranulin levels by about 50%, impairing neuronal function and driving neurodegeneration. Latozinemab, our investigational therapy for FTD-GRN being developed in collaboration with GSK, is designed to restore progranulin levels in the brain. Supported by data from an open-label Phase 2 study, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to latozinemab. The INFRONT-3 results will inform our next steps toward potential registration and may bring us one step closer to delivering a treatment for this relentless disease."

Dr. Rosenthal continued, "In parallel, we are advancing AL101 in early Alzheimer’s disease, with a placebo-controlled, double-blind, 76-week Phase 2 trial that is expected to complete in 2026. At the same time, we continue to build our preclinical and research pipeline, including brain-penetrant candidates enabled by our proprietary Alector Brain Carrier platform. Progressing late-stage clinical programs while investing in innovative early assets positions Alector to create near- and long-term value for both patients and shareholders. With a cash runway into the second half of 2027, we are well resourced to advance our scientific and strategic goals."

Sara Kenkare-Mitra, Ph.D., President and Head of Research and Development at Alector, added, "Over the past quarter, we’ve made steady progress across our wholly owned preclinical and research pipeline, including programs powered by our proprietary Alector Brain Carrier platform. This technology is designed to deliver therapeutic cargos, including antibodies, proteins, enzymes, and siRNA, across the blood-brain barrier, a critical challenge in treating neurodegeneration. Using this approach, we’re progressing brain-penetrant candidates, including our anti-amyloid beta antibody and anti-tau siRNA for Alzheimer’s disease, as well as our engineered GCase enzyme replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease. This work underscores our commitment to developing first- and best-in-class therapies for patients with serious neurodegenerative diseases."

Recent Clinical Updates

Progranulin Programs (latozinemab (AL001) and AL101/GSK4527226) Being Developed in Collaboration with GSK

Latozinemab

Alector and GSK remain on track to report topline data by the middle of the fourth quarter of 2025 from the pivotal, 96-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled INFRONT-3 Phase 3 trial evaluating latozinemab in frontotemporal dementia due to a GRN gene mutation (FTD-GRN). Pending the trial’s outcome, the companies are preparing for potential Biologics License Application (BLA) and Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) submissions in 2026.

The statistical analysis plan (SAP) for INFRONT-3 has been amended after engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The SAP will include plasma progranulin (PGRN) as a co-primary endpoint along with the Clinical Dementia Rating plus National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration Sum of Boxes (CDR plus NACC FTLD-SB).

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease and the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60.1 It affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 individuals in the United States and roughly 110,000 in the European Union.2,3 There are several heritable forms of FTD, including FTD-GRN, which is caused by mutations in the GRN gene and represents about 5% to 10% of all cases.⁴ People with FTD often begin experiencing symptoms such as behavioral changes, lapses in judgment, and diminished language skills in their 40s and 50s.1 The disease typically progresses over 7 to 10 years and is ultimately fatal.5 Currently, there are no approved treatment options for any form of FTD.1

Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the GRN gene lead to haploinsufficiency, reducing PGRN levels in the central nervous system by 50%. These mutations are a known genetic cause of FTD.6 PGRN is a secreted glycoprotein that regulates lysosomal function, neuronal survival, and inflammation in the brain.6

Latozinemab is a novel, investigational human monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to block and internalize the sortilin receptor to elevate PGRN levels in the brain. It is believed to be the most advanced therapeutic candidate in development for the treatment of FTD-GRN.

Latozinemab has been granted Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track designations by the FDA for the treatment of FTD-GRN, as well as Orphan Drug designation by both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of FTD.

AL101/GSK4527226

The global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled PROGRESS-AD Phase 2 clinical trial of AL101/GSK4527226 in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is ongoing, with enrollment completed in April 2025 and trial completion expected in 2026.

AL101 is an investigational human mAb designed to block and internalize the sortilin receptor to elevate PGRN levels in the brain. It is similar to latozinemab but has distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that may make it suitable for the potential treatment of more prevalent neurodegenerative diseases.

In July 2025, Alector published a manuscript titled "Development of AL101 (GSK4527226), a progranulin-elevating monoclonal antibody, as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease" in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy. The publication outlines preclinical and Phase 1 study results, demonstrating that AL101 bound to sortilin and decreased cell surface sortilin levels, leading to consistent elevations of PGRN across in vitro, preclinical, and Phase 1 studies. These results support continued development of AL101 and its investigation as a potential treatment for AD and other neurodegenerative conditions where PGRN could play a role.

Preclinical and Research Pipeline

Alector continues to advance its preclinical and early research pipeline, selectively supported by Alector Brain Carrier (ABC), the company’s proprietary blood-brain barrier technology platform.

The company is progressing ADP037-ABC, its brain-penetrant anti-amyloid beta antibody in AD; ADP050-ABC, its brain-penetrant engineered GCase enzyme replacement therapy in Parkinson’s disease; and ADP064-ABC, its brain-penetrant anti-tau siRNA in AD, all of which are enabled by ABC. Alector is currently evaluating potential candidates and continues to target clinical entry for ADP037-ABC and ADP050-ABC in 2026, pending resource allocation, lead candidate selection, and the results of preclinical studies.

Corporate News

Neil Berkley, M.B.A., assumed the role of Interim Chief Financial Officer in June 2025 while continuing as Chief Business Officer. With a proven track record in corporate development and business strategy, Mr. Berkley brings insightful leadership to Alector as the company advances through key clinical and research milestones in his expanded role.

In the third quarter of 2025, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent covering methods of treatment using latozinemab in individuals with FTD-GRN.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Revenue. Collaboration revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, was $7.9 million, compared to $15.1 million for the same period in 2024. The $7.2 million decrease was mainly due to the satisfaction of the performance obligation associated with the AL002 program and the latozinemab FTD-C9orf72 Phase 2 trial in the fourth quarter of 2024.

R&D Expenses. Total research and development expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, were $27.6 million, compared to $46.3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease of $18.7 million was mainly due to a decrease in research and development expenses for the AL002 program and latozinemab program as well as a decrease in personnel related costs as a result of the reductions in force.

G&A Expenses. Total general and administrative expenses were $14.4 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2025, and the three months ended June 30, 2024.

Net Loss. For the quarter ended June 30, 2025, Alector reported a net loss of $30.5 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to a net loss of $38.7 million, or $0.40 net loss per share, for the same period in 2024.

Cash Position. Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were $307.3 million as of June 30, 2025. Management anticipates that this will be sufficient to fund Alector’s operations into the second half of 2027.

2025 Guidance. Management is updating its guidance for the year ending 2025. The company anticipates collaboration revenue to be between $13 million and $18 million, total research and development expenses to be between $130 million and $140 million, and total general and administrative expenses to be between $55 million and $65 million.

On August 7, 2025 Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel product candidates for immuno-inflammatory diseases, reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and provided a corporate update (Press release, Aclaris Therapeutics, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654959]).

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!

"Aclaris is in a period of strong execution throughout the business as we advance our innovative therapies toward our goal of improving therapeutic options for patients with certain I&I diseases," stated Dr. Neal Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors of Aclaris. "For example, the results from the single arm Phase 2a clinical trial of our ITK/JAK3 inhibitor ATI-2138 represent a significant achievement for our ITK franchise by both confirming the strong tolerability profile and mechanism of ATI-2138 in AD ahead of our planned alopecia areata clinical trial and validating ITK as an important therapeutic target. Importantly, with an expected cash runway that funds our operations into the second half of 2028, we have sufficient capital to execute our strategic plan. We are also exploring additional non-dilutive opportunities to extend our cash runway even further."

Second Quarter 2025 Highlights and Recent Updates

Pipeline:

Achieved Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints in Phase 2a Trial of ATI-2138, a Potent and Selective Investigational Inhibitor of ITK and JAK3: Positive results from this open-label, single arm trial further confirmed the favorable tolerability profile of ATI-2138, demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements from baseline in assessments of disease severity in patients with moderate-to-severe AD receiving low doses of ATI-2138, and validated ITK as a therapeutic target. Overall, these results provide evidence that the contribution of ITK may enable ATI-2138, even at low doses, to achieve efficacy results comparable to approved JAK inhibitors in moderate-to-severe AD, but with improved tolerability and without the significant safety risks typically associated with JAK inhibition. (press release here)
Initiated Dosing in Phase 2 Trial of Potential Best-in-Class Investigational Anti-TSLP Monoclonal Antibody Bosakitug: Patient dosing is ongoing in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled global Phase 2 trial designed to evaluate bosakitug in approximately ninety (90) patients with moderate-to-severe AD. The Company expects to provide top line results in the second half of 2026. (press release here)
Initiated Dosing in Phase 1a/1b Program for Potential Best-in-Class Investigational Bispecific Anti-TSLP/IL-4R Antibody ATI-052: Dosing is ongoing in the randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 1a portion, designed to evaluate single and multiple ascending doses of ATI-052 in healthy adults. The Phase 1b proof-of-concept portion in up to two indications is expected to follow the Phase 1a portion. Aclaris expects to complete the Phase 1a portion by year-end 2025 and provide top line results in early 2026, followed by top line results from the Phase 1b portion in the second half of 2026. (press release here)

Corporate:

Strong Cash Runway Funds the Company’s Planned Operations into the Second Half of 2028: The Company is assessing potential non-dilutive opportunities to extend the cash runway further.
Provided Update on Senior Leadership: Roland Kolbeck, Ph.D. has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer, replacing Joe Monahan, Ph.D. who will remain with the Company as Special Scientific Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer through the first quarter of 2026 as part of his planned retirement. (press release here)
Financial Results

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2025, Aclaris had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $180.9 million compared to $203.9 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company believes that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2028, without giving effect to any potential business development transactions or financing activities.

Second Quarter 2025 and Year-to-Date 2025

Net loss was $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $11.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. Net loss was $30.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to $27.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Total revenue was $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2024. Total revenue was $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to $5.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease for both comparison periods was primarily driven by the sale of a portion of royalty payments under the Company’s agreement with Eli Lilly and Company to OCM IP Healthcare Portfolio IP, an investment vehicle for Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), in July 2024.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $11.4 million and $23.0 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2025, respectively, compared to $8.8 million and $18.6 million for the corresponding prior year periods. The increases were primarily driven by product candidate manufacturing costs, preclinical development activities, and clinical development expenses associated with the Phase 2 trial in AD for bosakitug and the Phase 1a/1b program for ATI-052. For the six-month comparison period, clinical development expenses associated with the Phase 2a trial in AD for ATI-2138 also contributed to the increase. The increases were partially offset by a reduction in development expenses for zunsemetinib for both comparison periods.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were $5.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 compared to $4.8 million for the corresponding prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by higher personnel expenses as a result of higher headcount. G&A expenses were $11.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to $11.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower personnel expenses as a result of lower termination benefits.

Revaluation of contingent consideration resulted in a $1.5 million charge for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 compared to a $0.2 million charge for the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to changes to the probability of success for certain product candidates and lower discount rates resulting from changes in credit spreads being applied to potential payments during the quarter ended June 30, 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, revaluation of contingent consideration resulted in a charge of $1.8 million compared to $3.0 million for the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to changes in estimated sales levels and changes to the probability of success for certain product candidates during the six months ended June 30, 2024.

On August 7, 2025 Silence Therapeutics plc, Nasdaq: SLN ("Silence" or "the Company"), a global clinical-stage company developing novel siRNA (short interfering RNA) therapies, reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and reviewed recent business highlights (Press release, Silence Therapeutics, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654955]).

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!

"The updated data we presented at EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) this past quarter were highly encouraging and supportive of the therapeutic potential of divesiran as a first-in-class siRNA in PV," said Craig Tooman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Silence. "The SANRECO Phase 2 trial of divesiran in PV patients continues to progress towards full enrollment this year and remains our top priority."

Rhonda Hellums, Silence’s Chief Financial Officer, said, "We are continuing to prioritize investments in key areas where we see the highest potential to deliver near term value, including ensuring the successful completion of the SANRECO Phase 2 trial enrollment by year-end. We ended the quarter with approximately $114.2 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and are reiterating our cash runway guidance into 2028."

Second Quarter 2025 & Recent Business Highlights

Divesiran for Polycythemia Vera (PV)

•
Presented updated data from the SANRECO Phase 1 study at the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) 2025 Annual Congress, further supporting divesiran’s compelling therapeutic profile, including:

•
Additional data showing that treatment with divesiran led to durable hematocrit control (<45%) and essentially eliminated the need for phlebotomies in the targeted population.

•
Divesiran increased hepcidin and ferritin, resulting in elevation of iron body content and improved iron deficiency.

•
Divesiran was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities.

•
Exceeded 50% enrollment in the Phase 2 portion of the SANRECO trial and remain on-track to complete enrollment by year-end 2025.

Zerlasiran for Cardiovascular Disease

•
Completed core Phase 3 readiness activities, including manufacturing and supply scale up. We continue to be in dialogues with potential third-party partners for Phase 3 development of zerlasiran as well as potential future commercialization activities.

Other R&D Updates

•
Advanced extra-hepatic cell targeting of siRNA where we are seeing promising initial preclinical activity in mice models. As a result, we are prioritizing our extra-hepatic activities and have decided to pause initiating a Phase 1 study of SLN548, our wholly owned siRNA for complement-mediated diseases.

Collaborations

•
A Phase 1 study of our siRNA product candidate, SLN312, which is licensed to AstraZeneca, is ongoing.

Second Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

•
Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $114.2 million as of June 30, 2025, which are expected to fund our operational plans into 2028.

•
Research & Development Expenses: R&D expenses were $17.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $13.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The increase in R&D expenses was primarily driven by the advancement of our clinical trials and an increase in contract manufacturing activities.

•
General & Administrative Expenses: G&A expenses were $5.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $7.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily due to a reduction in reporting and compliance requirements, as well as our efforts to increase operating efficiencies.

•
Net Loss: Net loss was $27.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $19.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

On August 7, 2025 Merck, a leading science and technology company, reported its organic growth. Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, Group net sales in the second quarter of 2025 increased by 2.0% organically compared with the year-earlier quarter, while EBITDA pre rose by 4.6% organically (Press release, Merck KGaA, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654881]). Process Solutions within the Life Science business sector recorded another very strong quarter, while sales of Healthcare’s blockbuster drugs Mavenclad and Erbitux saw very strong growth. In addition, the Semiconductor Materials business within Electronics continued to grow, fueled by strong demand for AI technologies.

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!

Strong negative foreign exchange effects, especially the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro, weighed on net sales and EBITDA pre. Group net sales declined by 1.8% to € 5.3 billion due to negative foreign exchange effects of 4.2%. Negative foreign exchange also impacted EBITDA pre by 7.2%, leading to an overall decrease by 3.1% to € 1.5 billion. As a result, the EBITDA pre margin of 27.8% was 0.4 percentage points lower than the year-earlier period. Earnings per share pre amounted to € 2.02 compared with € 2.20 in the year-earlier quarter.

"We have delivered solid underlying sales and earnings growth," said Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. "Yes, currency effects are taking their toll. But by standing on three pillars – Life Science, Healthcare and Electronics – we are, as a Group, better able to withstand the geopolitical, economic and currency swings that are buffeting companies around the world. Meanwhile, our recently completed acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics underlines our conviction that cutting-edge technology, including through strategically savvy acquisitions and partnerships, is key to securing future growth."

Life Science accelerates underlying growth

Process Solutions recorded yet another strong quarter, significantly driving growth for Life Science. Overall, net sales of the business sector rose organically by 3.7%. This growth was mostly offset by foreign exchange effects, leading to net sales growth of 0.4% to € 2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025. EBITDA pre grew organically by 3.7%, primarily thanks to higher net sales. However, negative foreign exchange and portfolio effects resulted in a decline of 1.3% to € 646 million.

Process Solutions, which offers solutions for the entire pharmaceutical production value chain, saw an organic net sales increase of 11.5%. This marked the business unit’s second consecutive double-digit quarterly increase and its best sales performance in two years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, customers had substantially increased their inventories, resulting in a post-pandemic drop in demand. However, order intake has risen very strongly again, with the book-to-bill ratio comfortably above 1 in the second quarter of 2025.

The Science & Lab Solutions unit, which offers products and services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research, faced challenging market conditions in the United States in particular, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding funding for scientific research. While overall spending on pharmaceutical research remained restrained, the company saw some encouraging signs from pharma and biotech customers. Net sales growth was organically flat (+/–0.0%), an improvement on an organic decline of 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025.

Challenging market conditions, in particular early-stage biotech funding, continued to weigh on the Life Science Services business unit, which offers customers services as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) of medications as well as testing services. Net sales declined by 8.2% organically.

Blockbusters fuel Healthcare growth

Growth in Healthcare was mainly driven by two blockbuster drugs Erbitux and Mavenclad and the Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology franchise. Net sales of the business sector as a whole grew by 3.6% organically compared with the previous year; however, negative foreign exchange effects led to a decline of 1.6% to € 2.1 billion. EBITDA pre grew organically by 20.0%, primarily as a result of temporarily reduced spending on research and development, a favorable product mix, strong commercial execution, and continued cost discipline. Despite negative foreign exchange effects in the double-digit percentage range, EBITDA pre rose 8.8% to € 783 million.

Net sales of Erbitux increased organically by 10.9% thanks to increased demand. The drug is a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer as well as cancer of the head and neck. Bavencio, used to treat a type of bladder cancer, saw weaker demand as other treatment options are now available for this indication. Net sales declined by 12.1% organically. Overall, net sales of the Oncology franchise grew by 3.9% organically.

Mavenclad, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis, achieved strong organic growth of 20.7% because of increased demand in the United States and Europe. With net sales of € 307 million, Mavenclad delivered record quarterly sales. The multiple sclerosis drug Rebif recorded an organic net sales decline of 26.1%, in line with the global interferon market. Net sales of the Neurology & Immunology franchise grew by 2.6% organically.

The Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology franchise achieved organic net sales growth of 4.7%. This franchise includes the diabetes medicine Glucophage, the beta-blocker Concor, the thyroid medicine Euthyrox, and Saizen, which is primarily used to treat various growth hormone disorders. All therapeutic areas contributed to the positive organic sales development.

In the Fertility franchise, Pergoveris achieved 20.5% organic net sales growth supported by its differentiated profile. The drug stimulates the production and release of egg cells. Gonal-f, a hormone treatment for infertility, saw an organic net sales decline of 12.5% amid high year-earlier comparables. The franchise’s overall net sales declined by 3.4% organically.

Going forward, SpringWorks Therapeutics will also contribute to the growth of Merck. Merck completed the acquisition of this U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company for US$ 3.4 billion (approximately € 3 billion) on July 1, 2025. With SpringWorks’ portfolio, Merck is expanding its rare tumor business. On July 18, 2025, the European Commission granted conditional approval for Ezmekly (mirdametinib). Developed by SpringWorks, it is used for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas.

Electronics sees continued demand for semiconductor materials

The decline in Delivery Systems & Services has been sharper than anticipated, with already committed customer capital projects being delayed further. AI demand is driving the continued growth of materials needed for advanced nodes – the latest semiconductor manufacturing processes that allow for smaller feature sizes. The Semiconductor Materials business continued to deliver low single-digit organic growth for the second quarter against a strong comparable period.

Net sales of Electronics declined by 7.4% to € 886 million (organically: –5.6%) amid negative foreign exchange effects of –3.5%. Excluding foreign exchange effects, the second quarter saw the highest quarterly revenue for Semiconductor Materials since 2022, reflecting the sixth quarter of sequential growth. EBITDA pre declined by 47.6% to € 134 million (organically: –41.3%) due mainly to one-time effects including a purchase price allocation (PPA) adjustment and a provision for potential customer claims as a result of a non-quality-related problem caused by a supplier.

Sales in Optronics were around stable with the acquisition contribution from Unity‑SC more than offsetting lower sales for liquid crystals and OLED materials and foreign exchange headwinds. Demand for metrology and inspection, highly precise measurement and testing equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, increased year-on-year with strong demand from the field of Artificial Intelligence. Organically, overall net sales declined by 5.3%.

Net sales in Surface Solutions declined organically by 6.4% due to low demand, especially in cosmetics. Merck closed the divestment of the business unit on July 31, 2025. By divesting Surface Solutions, the company is positioning its Electronics business sector even more strongly as a provider of semiconductor solutions.

Merck refines 2025 guidance

Merck refined its existing guidance for the full year. The company narrowed the expected organic sales growth range for the Group to 2% to 5% (previously 2% to 6%). For EBITDA pre, Merck raised its guidance and now expects organic growth of 4% to 8% (previously 2% to 7%). This change was driven by positive guidance adjustments for Life Science and Healthcare as well as high cost discipline in all business sectors.

For Life Science, Merck now expects organic net sales growth of 3% to 6% (previously 2% to 6%) and organic EBITDA pre growth of 3% to 7% (previously 1% to 7%). For Healthcare, the range for expected organic net sales growth was narrowed to 3% to 5% (previously 2% to 6%). Merck now expects EBITDA pre for Healthcare to grow organically by 9% to 13% (previously 4% to 10%). For Electronics, the company’s smallest business sector, the new guidance reflects the one-time effects arising in the second quarter. Organic net sales are expected to decline by –5% to –1% (previously +1% to +6%), and organic EBITDA pre by –15% to –7% (previously –3% to +8%).

Overview of the key figures for Q2 2025

Merck Group

Key figures

€ million

Q2 2025

Q2 2024

Change

Net sales

5,255

5,352

-1.8%

Operating result (EBIT)1

891

792

12.4%

Margin (% of net sales)1

17.0%

14.8%

EBITDA2

1,348

1,472

-8.5%

Margin (% of net sales)1

25.6%

27.5%

EBITDA pre1

1,462

1,509

-3.1%

Margin (% of net sales)1

27.8%

28.2%

Profit after income tax

655

605

8.3%

Earnings per share (€)

1.50

1.40

7.1%

Earnings per share pre (€)1

2.02

2.20

-8.2%

Operating cash flow

567

861

-34.2%

Net financial debt1, 3

7,973

7,155

11.4%

Number of employees4

63,160

62,176

1.6%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

2 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS); EBITDA corresponds to operating result (EBIT) adjusted by depreciation,
amortization, impairment losses, and reversals of impairment losses.

3 Figures for the reporting period ending on June 30, 2025, prior-year figures as of December 31, 2024.

4 Figures for the reporting period ending on June 30, 2025, prior-year figures as of June 30, 2024. This figure refers to all employees at sites of fully consolidated entities.

Merck Group

Net sales by business sector

€ million

Q2 2025

Share

Organic
growth1

Exchange
rate effects1

Acquisitions/
divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Share

Life Science

2,267

43%

3.7%

-3.6%

0.3%

0.4%

2,258

42%

Healthcare

2,102

40%

3.6%

-5.2%

0.0%

-1.6%

2,137

40%

Electronics

886

17%

-5.6%

-3.5%

1.7%

-7.4%

957

18%

Merck Group

5,255

100%

2.0%

-4.2%

0.4%

-1.8%

5,352

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Life Science

Net sales by business unit

€ million

Q2 2025

Share

Organic growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Acquisitions/ divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Share

Science & Lab Solutions

1,150

51%

0.0%

-3.7%

0.2%

-3.5%

1,192

53%

Process Solutions

945

42%

11.5%

-3.4%

0.4%

8.4%

871

38%

Life Science Services

172

8%

-8.2%

-3.4%

0.0%

-11.5%

194

9%

Life Science

2,267

100%

3.7%

-3.6%

0.3%

0.4%

2,258

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Healthcare

Net sales by major product lines/products

€ million

Q2 2025

Share

Organic
growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Total change

Q2 2024

Share

Oncology

485

23%

3.9%

-5.0%

-1.1%

490

23%

thereof: Erbitux

288

14%

10.9%

-6.6%

4.3%

276

13%

thereof: Bavencio

158

8%

-12.1%

-2.8%

-14.9%

186

9%

Neurology & Immunology

425

20%

2.6%

-4.6%

-2.0%

434

20%

thereof: Mavenclad

307

15%

20.7%

-5.4%

15.3%

266

12%

thereof: Rebif

119

6%

-26.1%

-3.2%

-29.3%

168

8%

Fertility

366

17%

-3.4%

-5.8%

-9.1%

403

19%

thereof: Gonal-f

186

9%

-12.5%

-5.6%

-18.1%

227

11%

thereof: Pergoveris

84

4%

20.5%

-6.1%

14.4%

73

3%

Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology

741

35%

4.7%

-5.4%

-0.7%

746

35%

thereof: Glucophage

235

11%

4.3%

-5.4%

-1.1%

238

11%

thereof: Concor

154

7%

1.0%

-3.4%

-2.4%

158

7%

thereof: Euthyrox

155

7%

6.3%

-6.1%

0.2%

155

7%

thereof: Saizen

99

5%

9.7%

-7.8%

1.9%

97

5%

Other

84

4%

64

3%

Healthcare

2,102

100%

3.6%

-5.2%

-1.6%

2,137

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Electronics

Net sales by business unit

€ million

Q2 2025

Share

Organic growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Acquisitions/ divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Share

Semiconductor Solutions

603

68%

-5.6%

-3.7%

-0.1%

-9.3%

665

69%

Optronics

189

21%

-5.3%

-3.4%

9.0%

0.3%

188

20%

Surface Solutions

94

11%

-6.4%

-2.9%

0.0%

-9.3%

104

11%

Electronics

886

100%

-5.6%

-3.5%

1.7%

-7.4%

957

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Forecast

Forecast for FY 2025

€ million

Net sales

EBITDA pre1

Operating cash flow

Merck Group

~20,500 to 21,700
Organic +2% to +5%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~0%

~5,900 to 6,300
Organic +4% to +8%
Foreign exchange effect -6% to -3%
Portfolio -2% to -1%

~3,600 to 4,000

Life Science

~8,800 to 9,300
Organic +3% to +6%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%

~2,500 to 2,700
Organic +3% to +7%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%

Healthcare

~8,500 to 8,900
Organic +3% to +5%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~+2%

~2,900 to 3,100
Organic +9% to +13%
Foreign exchange effect -9% to -6%
Portfolio -3% to -2%

Electronics

~3,300 to 3,600
Organic -5% to -1%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~-3%

~700 to 900
Organic -15% to -7%
Foreign exchange effect -6% to -3%
Portfolio -3% to -1%

Corporate and Other

n/a

~-350 to -400