Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD; NYSE: MRK) has released its financial report for the first quarter of 2024, announcing sales of USD 15.8 billion, an increase of 11% year-on-year (YOY) excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates. The pharmaceutical division contributed USD 14.0 billion to the top line, with a 13% YOY increase, propelled by the company’s oncology and vaccines portfolios, although this growth was partially offset by a decline in diabetes sales.
Anti-PD-1 therapy Keytruda (pembrolizumab) led drug sales for the quarter, generating USD 6.9 billion after a 24% increase YOY, attributed to increased adoption in earlier-stage cancer treatments and sustained demand for metastatic cancer indications. The HPV vaccine Gardasil/Gardasil 9 also achieved blockbuster status, with sales reaching USD 2.2 billion, a 17% rise YOY, driven by robust demand, particularly in the Chinese market.
The report highlighted that the timing of shipments in China significantly favored Gardasil, while the performance of the rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq was impacted, with global sales plummeting 27% to USD 216 million.- Flcube.com
