By Fineline Cube 
Merck KGaA (ETR: MRK) released its Q1 2025 financial results, reporting a 2.5% year-on-year (YOY) increase in group net sales on an organic basis, reaching EUR 5.3 billion (USD 5.9 billion) over the three-month period. The Healthcare segment led the growth with a 3.4% organic increase in net sales to EUR 2.1 billion (USD 2.4 billion), while EBITDA pre rose by 11.7% to EUR 796 million (USD 892 million), primarily due to temporarily reduced R&D expenditure. The Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology franchise was the main driver, with organic growth across all therapeutic areas, increasing net sales by 10.6% to EUR 757 million (USD 848 million).
Therapeutic Area Performance
In the Oncology business, revenue reached EUR 491 million (USD 550 million), showing a 1.9% decline. Erbitux (cetuximab) sales grew by 6.2% to EUR 305 million (USD 342 million), while Bavencio (avelumab) sales decreased by 15.4% to EUR 157 million (USD 176 million). The Neurology & Immunology business reported revenue of EUR 407 million (USD 456 million), a 3.7% decrease, with Mavenclad (cladribine) sales increasing by 9.2% to EUR 287 million (USD 321 million) and Rebif (recombinant human interferon β1a) sales dropping by 25.1% to EUR 120 million (USD 134 million). Fertility therapies generated EUR 382 million (USD 428 million), with Gonal-F (recombinant human follitropin alfa) sales at EUR 206 million (USD 231 million, +0.3%) and Pergoveris (follitropin alfa/lutropin alfa) sales at EUR 78 million (USD 87 million, +13.6%).
Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology Segment
The Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology segment reported strong growth of 10.6% to EUR 757 million (USD 845 million). Key contributors included Glucophage (metformin) sales of EUR 242 million (USD 271 million, +10.4%), Concor (bisoprolol) sales of EUR 157 million (USD 176 million, +12.2%), Euthyrox (levothyroxine) sales of EUR 155 million (USD 174 million, +12.7%), and Saizen (somatropin) sales of EUR 103 million (USD 115 million, +18.6%).
Full-Year Guidance and Tariff Update
Merck made minor adjustments to its full-year 2025 guidance, forecasting revenue of EUR 20.9-22.4 billion, representing organic growth of 2%-6%. The Healthcare sector is projected to generate EUR 8.3-8.9 billion in revenue, with organic growth of 2%-6%. In response to tariff uncertainties, Merck announced a temporary surcharge for Life Science product orders shipped to China, effective May 12; however, this surcharge was halted one day later.-Fineline Info & Tech