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Merck Announces Second-Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210729005307/en/

“We are encouraged by the strong momentum of our underlying business led by our key growth drivers as the impact of the pandemic on our performance lessens,” said Rob Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck. “We are confident that we will deliver sustained long-term growth and value creation enabled by our strengthening discovery research engine and by working with increased speed, urgency and agility to accelerate the delivery of our innovations to the patients who depend on them.”

Financial Summary – Continuing Operations

The businesses that were contributed to Organon & Co. (Organon) in the spinoff are now accounted for as discontinued operations. Financial information presented in this release reflects Merck’s results on a continuing operations basis, which excludes Organon. Prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation. The Company previously filed a Form 8-K on June 21, 2021, which included historical financial information recast to reflect Organon as discontinued operations.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

  

Second Quarter

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

Change

  

Change
Ex-
Exchange

 

Sales

  

$11,402

  

$9,353

  

22%

  

19%

 

GAAP net income1

  

1,213

  

2,341

  

-48%

  

-47%

 

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

  

3,321

  

2,586

  

28%

  

27%

 

GAAP EPS

  

0.48

  

0.92

  

-48%

  

-48%

 

Non-GAAP EPS that excludes certain items2*

  

1.31

  

1.02

  

28%

  

27%

 

*Refer to table on page 11.

 

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share assuming dilution (EPS) was $0.48 for the second quarter of 2021. GAAP EPS for the second quarter of 2021 includes a $1.7 billion charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. (Pandion). Non-GAAP EPS of $1.31 for the second quarter of 2021 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs, income and losses from investments in equity securities, the charge related to Pandion and certain other items. Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Oncology Program Highlights

Merck continued to advance development programs across its oncology portfolio, anticipating greater than 90 potential new indications by 2028, including notable progress for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy; Lynparza (olaparib), an oral poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca; and Lenvima (lenvatinib mesylate), an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor, being co-developed and co-commercialized with Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai).

  • Merck announced the following regulatory milestones:
    • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy as pre-operative (neoadjuvant) treatment and then continuing as a single-agent (adjuvant) treatment after surgery in high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial. These results were presented during a European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Plenary session on July 15.
    • FDA approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma based on results from the ongoing Phase 3 KEYNOTE-811 trial. This is the first time an anti-PD-1 therapy has been approved in combination with anti-HER2 therapy and chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for these patients. This accelerated approval is contingent upon verification of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials.
    • FDA approval of KEYTRUDA as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) that is not curable by surgery or radiation. This approval was based on results from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-629 trial.
    • FDA approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with Lenvima for the treatment of certain patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma that is not microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The approval was based on results from the confirmatory pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 trial.
    • FDA priority review for KEYTRUDA in combination with Lenvima for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 CLEAR study (KEYNOTE-581/Study 307). The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) or target action date is Aug. 26.
    • The FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted against maintaining accelerated approval of KEYTRUDA for the third-line treatment of certain patients with gastric cancer. Merck announced a voluntary withdrawal of the accelerated approval indication for KEYTRUDA for the treatment of patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy and at least one other prior line of therapy. As agreed with the FDA, Merck will initiate the withdrawal in Jan. 2022. 
    • European Commission (EC) approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of certain patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of the esophagus or HER2-negative GEJ adenocarcinoma in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS>10), based on the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-590 trial.
    • Chinese National Medical Products Administration approval of Lynparza as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with germline or somatic BRCA-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have progressed following prior treatment that included a new hormonal agent (abiraterone, enzalutamide), based on data from the Phase 3 PROfound trial.
  • Merck provided additional data presentations including:
    • Positive top-line overall survival (OS) results for the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-355 study evaluating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy in patients with untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS>10). Data will be submitted to global health authorities and will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.
    • Results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial for the adjuvant treatment of certain patients with RCC at the 2021 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. In the study, KEYTRUDA given after surgery demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death compared to placebo. Results are being submitted to global regulatory authorities and the trial will continue to evaluate OS, a key secondary endpoint.
    • Results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-826 trial investigating KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab, confirming the trial met its dual primary endpoints of OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in the first-line treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer regardless of PD-L1 status. Results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and will be submitted to regulatory authorities.
    • Initial results presented by Merck and AstraZeneca from the Phase 3 OlympiA trial at the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting, in which Lynparza demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in its primary endpoint of invasive disease-free survival versus placebo in the adjuvant treatment of patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and HER2-negative early breast cancer. Results will be submitted to global regulatory authorities and the trial will continue to assess OS as a secondary endpoint.

Vaccines Highlights

  • Merck announced the FDA approval of VAXNEUVANCE (15-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine) for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F in adults 18 years of age and older.
  • Merck presented new data from the pivotal Phase 3 PNEU-AGE study of VAXNEUVANCE compared with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in adults 50 years of age and older at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) 2021.
  • Merck announced VAXNEUVANCE met its primary immunogenicity and safety endpoints in two trials from its Phase 3 pediatric clinical program. Plans are on track for submission of a supplemental regulatory licensure application to the FDA for use in children before the end of the year.

HIV Highlight

  • Merck announced results from an ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of six monthly oral doses, over 24 weeks, of islatravir, the company’s investigational nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor, versus placebo for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) of HIV-1 infection in adults at low risk of contracting HIV-1. These data, which support the safety profile of an oral islatravir PrEP regimen through 24 weeks versus placebo, were shared as a late-breaking oral presentation during the virtual 11th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science.

Other Highlights

  • The EC granted marketing authorization in the European Union for Verquvo (vericiguat) for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure in adult patients with reduced ejection fraction who are stabilized after a recent decompensation event requiring intravenous therapy. Verquvo is being jointly developed by Merck and Bayer AG.
  • BRIDION (sugammadex) Injection 100 mg/mL was approved by the FDA for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older undergoing surgery.
  • The FDA has informed Merck of its decision to extend the goal date for the company’s New Drug Application for gefapixant, an investigational, orally administered, selective P2X3 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of refractory chronic cough or unexplained chronic cough in adults, to provide time for a full review of the submission. The extended PDUFA action date is March 21, 2022.

COVID-19 Highlights

  • In April, Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP announced top-line data from the Phase 2 portion of the Phase 2/3 trials studying molnupiravir (MK-4482), which showed that it inhibits the replication of multiple RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. Data were presented at ECCMID in July. Molnupiravir is now being evaluated in a Phase 3 clinical trial, the MOVe-OUT study, for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and at least one risk factor associated with poor disease outcomes.
  • In April, Merck announced that the company entered into non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements for molnupiravir with established Indian generic manufacturers. Merck entered into these agreements to accelerate availability of molnupiravir in India and in other low- and middle-income countries following approvals or emergency authorization by local regulatory agencies.
  • In June, Merck announced it entered into a procurement agreement with the United States government for molnupiravir.

Second-Quarter Revenue Performance

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

 

$ in millions

  

Second Quarter

 
 

  

2021

 

2020

 

Change

 

Change Ex-
Exchange

 
 

Total Sales

  

$11,402

 

$9,353

 

22%

 

19%

 
 

Pharmaceutical

  

9,980

 

8,178

 

22%

 

18%

 
 

KEYTRUDA

  

4,176

 

3,388

 

23%

 

20%

 
 

JANUVIA / JANUMET

  

1,261

 

1,344

 

-6%

 

-10%

 
 

GARDASIL / GARDASIL 9

  

1,234

 

656

 

88%

 

78%

 
 

PROQUAD, M-M-R II and
VARIVAX

  

516

 

378

 

36%

 

35%

 
 

BRIDION

  

387

 

224

 

72%

 

67%

 
 

Lynparza*

ROTATEQ

  

248

208

 

178

168

 

39%

23%

 

34%

19%

 
 

SIMPONI

  

202

 

191

 

5%

 

-3%

 
 

ISENTRESS / ISENTRESS HD
Lenvima*

  

192

181

 

196

151

 

-2%

19%

 

-5%

15%

 
 

Animal Health

  

1,472

 

1,101

 

34%

 

27%

 
 

Livestock

  

820

 

647

 

27%

 

20%

 
 

Companion Animals

  

651

 

453

 

44%

 

38%

 
 

Other Revenues**

  

(50)

 

74

 

-167%

 

-1%

 
 

*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 third-party manufacturing sales and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue-hedging activities. The revenue-hedging activities resulted in negative revenue in the second quarter of 2021.

 

Pharmaceutical Revenue

Second-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 22% to $10.0 billion. Excluding the favorable effect of foreign exchange, sales grew by 18%, reflecting ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and strong underlying demand. The COVID-19 pandemic unfavorably affected sales in the second quarter of 2021 but to a lesser extent than in the second quarter of 2020. The estimated net favorable benefit of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recovery to year-over-year sales growth was approximately $900 million.

Growth in oncology was largely driven by higher sales of KEYTRUDA, which rose 23% to $4.2 billion in the quarter. Global sales growth of KEYTRUDA reflects continued strong momentum from the non-small-cell lung cancer indications as well as continued uptake in other indications, including adjuvant melanoma, RCC, bladder, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and MSI-H cancers. Also contributing to higher sales in oncology was a 39% rise in Lynparza alliance revenue, reflecting continued uptake in approved indications in the United States, Europe and China, as well as a 19% increase in Lenvima alliance revenue, driven primarily by higher demand in China.

Growth in vaccines for the second quarter was primarily driven by higher combined sales of GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] and GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant). Second-quarter 2021 GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales rebounded to $1.2 billion, growing 88%, primarily due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recovery and strong underlying demand in the United States, as well as continued market uptake in certain ex-U.S. markets, including China, which also benefitted from increased supply.

Combined sales of pediatric vaccines VARIVAX (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help prevent chickenpox; PROQUAD (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a combination vaccine to help protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella; and M-M-R II (Measles, Mumps and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help prevent measles, mumps and rubella, for second-quarter 2021 rose 36% to $516 million driven primarily by the ongoing market recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

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 aged 2 years and older undergoing surgery, which rose 72% to $387 million attributable in part to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recovery; and the continued uptake of PREVYMIS (letermovir), a medicine for prophylaxis (prevention) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adult CMV-seropositive recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Growth in hospital acute care was partially offset by the suspension of sales of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam) for injection, a combination cephalosporin antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitor for the treatment of adults with certain bacterial infections, following a product recall in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Sales of JANUVIA (sitagliptin) and JANUMET (sitagliptin and metformin HCI) decreased 6% in the quarter to $1.3 billion reflecting continued pricing pressure in the United States, partially offset by higher demand in certain international markets.

Animal Health Revenue

Animal Health sales totaled $1.5 billion for the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 34% compared with the second quarter of 2020. Excluding the favorable effect from foreign exchange, Animal Health sales grew 27%. Sales growth reflects higher demand globally for companion animal products, driven by companion animal vaccines, as well as growth in parasiticide lines of products, including BRAVECTO (fluralaner). Sales growth in livestock products reflects higher demand for ruminant, swine and poultry products, as well as higher demand globally for Animal Health Intelligence products. The COVID-19 pandemic unfavorably affected Animal Health sales by approximately $100 million in the second quarter of 2020 but had no impact in the second quarter of 2021.

Second-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

The tables below present selected expense information.

 

$ in millions

Second-Quarter 2021

 

GAAP

 

Acquisition-
and
Divestiture-
Related
Costs
3

 

Restructuring
Costs

 

(Income)
Loss from
Investments
in Equity
Securities

 

Certain
Other
Items

 

Non-
GAAP
2

 
 

Cost of sales

 

$3,104

 

$345

 

$38

 

$-

 

$37

 

$2,684

 
 

Selling, general and
administrative

 

2,281

 

25

 

2

 

-

 

-

 

2,254

 
 

Research and
development

 

4,321

 

16

 

6

 

-

 

1,765

 

2,534

 
 

Restructuring costs

 

82

 

-

 

82

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
 

Other (income)
expense, net

 

(103)

 

117

 

-

 

(258)

 

-

 

38

 
 

Second-Quarter 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Cost of sales

 

$2,747

 

$580

 

$25

 

$-

 

$-

 

$2,142

 
 

Selling, general and
administrative

 

2,085

 

44

 

11

 

-

 

-

 

2,030

 
 

Research and
development

 

2,085

 

(63)

 

31

 

-

 

-

 

2,117

 
 

Restructuring costs

 

82

 

-

 

82

 

-

 

-

 

-

 
 

Other (income)
expense, net

 

(387)

 

63

 

-

 

(511)

 

(16)

 

77

 

GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 72.8% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 70.6% for the second quarter of 2020. The increase reflects lower acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and favorable product mix, partially offset by the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange, pricing pressure and higher manufacturing costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 9% compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher promotion and administrative costs, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Research and development expenses were $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021 compared with $2.1 billion in the second quarter of 2020. The increase was primarily driven by a $1.7 billion charge for the acquisition of Pandion, as well as higher expenses related to clinical development, and increased investment in discovery research and early drug development.

Other (income) expense, net, was $103 million of income in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $387 million of income in the second quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting lower income from investments in equity securities in 2021 compared with 2020.

The effective income tax rate of 29.3% for the second quarter of 2021 reflects no tax benefit recognized on the Pandion acquisition charge.

GAAP EPS was $0.48 for the second quarter of 2021 compared with $0.92 for the second quarter of 2020.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Non-GAAP gross margin was 76.5% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 77.1% for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin reflects the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange, pricing pressure and higher manufacturing costs, partially offset by favorable product mix.

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 11% compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher promotion and administrative costs, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2021, a 20% increase compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher expenses related to clinical development, as well as increased investment in discovery research and early drug development.

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $38 million of expense in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $77 million of expense in the second quarter of 2020.

The non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 14.6% for the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.31 for the second quarter of 2021 compared with $1.02 for the second quarter of 2020.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.

 

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

 

Second Quarter

 
  

2021

 

2020

 
 

EPS

 

 

 
 

GAAP EPS

 

$0.48

 

$0.92

 
 

Difference

 

0.83

 

0.10

 
 

Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2

 

$1.31

 

$1.02

 
 

 

 

 
 

Net Income

 

 

 
 

GAAP net income1

 

$1,213

 

$2,341

 
 

Difference

 

2,108

 

245

 
 

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

 

$3,321

 

$2,586

 
 

 

 

 
 

Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Due to Excluded Items:

 

 

 
 

Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs3

 

$503

 

$624

 
 

Restructuring costs

 

128

 

149

 
 

(Income) loss from investments in equity securities

 

(258)

 

(511)

 
 

Charge for the acquisition of Pandion

 

1,704

 

-

 
 

Charge for the discontinuation of COVID-19 development programs

 

37

 

-

 
 

Other

 

61

 

(16)

 
 

Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes

 

2,175

 

246

 
 

Income tax (benefit) expense4

 

(67)

 

(1)

 
 

Decrease (increase) in net income

 

$2,108

 

$245

 

Financial Outlook

Merck continues to experience strong global underlying demand across its business. Consequently, at mid-July 2021 exchange rates, Merck now expects sales growth of 12% to 14% in 2021 with full-year 2021 revenue estimated to be between $46.4 billion and $47.4 billion, including a positive impact from foreign exchange of less than 2%.

Merck continues to believe that global health systems and patients have largely adapted to the impacts of COVID-19 disease, and that while certain negative effects will persist, the trend will continue to improve. Merck now estimates that the pandemic will have a net unfavorable impact to 2021 revenues of less than 3%, all of which relates to the pharmaceutical segment.

Merck expects full-year 2021 GAAP EPS to be between $4.24 and $4.34.

Merck expects full-year 2021 non-GAAP EPS to be between $5.47 and $5.57, including a positive impact from foreign exchange of approximately 2%. The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, income and losses from investments in equity securities and certain other items.

For full-year 2021, Merck continues to expect the pandemic will have a negligible impact on operating expenses, as spending on the development of its COVID-19 antiviral program is expected to offset the favorable impact of lower spending in other areas due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neither the sales nor the EPS guidance ranges provided above include the impact of the potential launch of Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral drug candidate, molnupiravir.

The following table summarizes the company’s full-year 2021 financial guidance.

    

GAAP

   

Non-GAAP2

 
 

Revenue

   

$46.4 to $47.4 billion

   

$46.4 to $47.4 billion*

 
 

Operating
expenses

   

Lower than 2020 by a
mid-single digit rate

   

Higher than 2020 by a
high-single digit rate

 
 

Effective tax rate

   

14.5% to 15.5%

   

14.5% to 15.5%

 
 

EPS**

   

$4.24 to $4.34

   

$5.47 to $5.57

 
 

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

 
 

**EPS guidance for 2021 assumes a share count (assuming dilution) of approximately 2.53 billion shares.

 

A reconciliation of anticipated 2021 GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS and the items excluded from non-GAAP EPS are provided in the table below.

 

$ in millions, except EPS amounts

 

Full-Year 2021

 
 

GAAP EPS

 

$4.24 to $4.34

 
 

Difference

 

$1.23

 
 

Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below2

 

$5.47 to $5.57

 
 

 

 
 

Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs

Restructuring costs

(Income) loss from investments in equity securities

 

$2,100

700

(1,200)

 
 

Charge for the discontinuation of COVID-19 development programs

 

225

 
 

Charge for the acquisition of Pandion

 

1,704

 
 

Other

 

61

 
 

Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes

 

3,590

 
 

Income tax (benefit) expense4

 

(475)

 
 

Decrease (increase) in net income

 

$3,115

 

Earnings Conference Call

Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the call today at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Merck’s website at https://investors.merck.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. Institutional investors and analysts can participate in the call by dialing (833) 353-0277 or (469) 886-1947 and using ID code number 5951886. Members of the media are invited to monitor the call by dialing (833) 353-0277 or (469) 886-1947 and using ID code number 5951886. Journalists who wish to ask questions are requested to contact a member of Merck’s Media Relations team at the conclusion of the call.

About Merck

For 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, 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 products that the products 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 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

1

 Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

2

 Merck is providing certain 2021 and 2020 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 and permits investors to understand how management assesses performance. Management uses these 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 non-GAAP pretax income. 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, intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration. Also includes integration, transaction and certain other costs related to acquisitions and divestitures.

4

 Includes the estimated tax impact on the reconciling items. In addition, the amount for full-year 2021 includes a $207 million net tax benefit related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.
MERCK & CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME - GAAP
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 1
 
On June 2, 2021, Merck completed the spinoff of products from its women’s health, biosimilars and established brands businesses into a new, independent, publicly traded company named Organon & Co. (Organon) through a distribution of Organon’s publicly traded stock to company shareholders. The historical results of the women’s health, biosimilars and established brands businesses that were contributed to Organon in the spin-off are excluded from sales and expenses below and reflected as discontinued operations in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Income provided below.
 
GAAP % ChangeGAAP % Change
  

2Q21

2Q20

 June YTD 2021June YTD 2020 
  
 
Sales

 $          11,402

 $           9,353

 

22%

 $          22,029

 $          19,641

 

12%

   

   

Costs, Expenses and Other   

   

Cost of sales

              3,104

              2,747

 

13%

              6,303

              5,576

 

13%

Selling, general and administrative

              2,281

              2,085

 

9%

              4,468

              4,276

 

4%

Research and development

              4,321

              2,085

 

*

              6,732

              4,260

 

58%

Restructuring costs (1) 

                   82

                   82

 

0%

                 380

                 152

 

*

Other (income) expense, net 

                (103

)

                (387

)

 

-73%

                (558

)

                (325

)

 

72%

Income from Continuing Operations Before Taxes 

              1,717

              2,741

 

-37%

              4,704

              5,702

 

-18%

Income Tax Provision 

                 503

                 396

 

                 741

                 891

 

Net Income from Continuing Operations

              1,214

              2,345

 

-48%

              3,963

              4,811

 

-18%

Less: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

                     1

                     4

 

                     5

                    (1

)

 

Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

 $           1,213

 $           2,341

 

-48%

 $           3,958

 $           4,812

 

-18%

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes and Amounts
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

 $              332

 $              661

 

-50%

 $              766

 $           1,409

 

-46%

Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

 $           1,545

 $           3,002

 

-49%

 $           4,724

 $           6,221

 

-24%

   

   

Basic Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
Common Shareholders:
   

   

Income from Continuing Operations

 $             0.48

 $             0.93

 

-48%

 $             1.56

 $             1.90

 

-18%

Income from Discontinued Operations

 $             0.13

 $             0.26

 

-50%

 $             0.30

 $             0.56

 

-46%

Net Income

 $             0.61

 $             1.19

 

-49%

 $             1.87

 $             2.46

 

-24%

   

   

Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution Attributable to
Merck & Co., Inc. Common Shareholders:
   

   

Income from Continuing Operations

 $             0.48

 $             0.92

 

-48%

 $             1.56

 $             1.89

 

-17%

Income from Discontinued Operations

 $             0.13

 $             0.26

 

-50%

 $             0.30

 $             0.55

 

-45%

Net Income

 $             0.61

 $             1.18

 

-48%

 $             1.86

 $             2.45

 

-24%

  
Average Shares Outstanding

              2,533

              2,527

              2,532

              2,531

Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution

              2,540

              2,536

              2,540

              2,542

Tax Rate from Continuing Operations (2)

29.3

%

14.4

%

15.8

%

15.6

%

* 100% or greater
(1) Represents separation and other related costs associated with restructuring activities under the company's formal restructuring programs. 
 
(2) The effective income tax rates for the second quarter and first six months of 2021 reflect the unfavorable impact of a charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. for which no tax benefit was recognized.  Additionally, the effective income tax rate for the first six months of 2021 reflects a net tax benefit of $207 million related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.  
MERCK & CO., INC.  
SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION - CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES) 
(UNAUDITED) 
Table 2a 
   
The table below reflects a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information on a continuing operations basis.  As Organon results are reflected within discontinued operations, they are excluded from the financial information provided below.  
   
GAAPAcquisition and Divestiture-
Related Costs (1)
Restructuring Costs (2)(Income) Loss from
Investments in Equity
Securities
Certain Other ItemsAdjustment SubtotalNon-GAAP
 
Second Quarter  
Cost of sales

 $

             3,104

 

                                  345

                             38

                         37

(3)

                       420

 $

             2,684

 
Selling, general and administrative

                2,281

 

                                    25

                               2

                         27

                2,254

 
Research and development

                4,321

 

                                    16

                               6

                    1,765

(4)

                    1,787

                2,534

 
Restructuring costs

                     82

 

                             82

                         82

                      - 

 
Other (income) expense, net

                 (103)

 

                                  117

                          (258)

                     (141)

                     38

 
Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes

                1,717

 

                                (503)

                          (128)

                           258

                   (1,802)

                  (2,175)

                3,892

 
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

                   503

 

                                  (98)

(5)

                            (15)

(5)

                             57

(5)

                        (11)

(5)

                       (67)

                   570

 
Net Income from Continuing Operations

                1,214

 

                                (405)

                          (113)

                           201

                   (1,791)

                  (2,108)

                3,322

 
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
Merck & Co., Inc.

                1,213

 

                                (405)

                          (113)

                           201

                   (1,791)

                  (2,108)

                3,321

 
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution from
Continuing Operations

 $

               0.48

 

                               (0.16)

                         (0.04)

                          0.08

                     (0.71)

                    (0.83)

 $

               1.31

 
   
Tax Rate 

29.3%

 

14.6%

 
   
   
June YTD  
Cost of sales

 $

             6,303

 

                                  842

                             65

                       225

(3)

                    1,132

 $

             5,171

 
Selling, general and administrative

                4,468

 

                                    35

                               4

                         39

                4,429

 
Research and development

                6,732

 

                                    34

                             13

                    1,765

(4)

                    1,812

                4,920

 
Restructuring costs

                   380

 

                           380

                       380

                      - 

 
Other (income) expense, net

                 (558)

 

                                    89

                          (819)

                     (730)

                   172

 
Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes

                4,704

 

                             (1,000)

                          (462)

                           819

                   (1,990)

                  (2,633)

                7,337

 
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

                   741

 

                                (187)

(5)

                            (56)

(5)

                           180

(5)

                      (260)

(5)

                     (323)

                1,064

 
Net Income from Continuing Operations

                3,963

 

                                (813)

                          (406)

                           639

                   (1,730)

                  (2,310)

                6,273

 
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to
Merck & Co., Inc.

                3,958

 

                                (813)

                          (406)

                           639

                   (1,730)

                  (2,310)

                6,268

 
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution from
Continuing Operations

 $

               1.56

 

                               (0.32)

                         (0.16)

                          0.25

                     (0.68)

                    (0.91)

 $

               2.47

 
   
Tax Rate 

15.8%

 

14.5%

 
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 this information enhances investors’ understanding of the company’s results as it permits investors to understand how management assesses performance. Management uses these 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 non-GAAP pretax income. This information 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 acquisition and divestiture-related costs.  Amounts included in research and development expenses primarily reflect expenses for the amortization of intangible assets.  Amounts included in other (income) expense, net, for the second quarter and six months period primarily reflect an increase in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration related to the termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture and a loss on a forward exchange contract entered into in conjunction with the Organon spinoff.  Amount included in other (income) expense, net, for the six month period is partially offset by royalty income related to the termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture.
 
(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) Represents charges for the discontinuation of COVID-19 development programs.
 
(4) Includes a $1.7 billion charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. 
 
(5) Represent the estimated tax impacts on the reconciling items based on applying the statutory rate of the originating territory of the non-GAAP adjustments.  Certain other items for the six month period also includes a $207 million net tax benefit related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.
MERCK & CO., INC. 
FRANCHISE / KEY PRODUCT SALES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS) 
(UNAUDITED) 
Table 3 
                           
                           
 

2021

  

2020

   2Q  June YTD 
 1Q  2Q  June YTD  1Q  2Q  June YTD  3Q  4Q  Full Year  Nom %  Ex-Exch %   Nom %  Ex-Exch % 
                               
TOTAL SALES (1)  

$10,627

  

$11,402

  

$22,029

 

 

 

$10,288

  

$9,353

  

$19,641

  

$10,929

  

$10,948

  

$41,518

  

22

  

19

   

12

  

10

 
PHARMACEUTICAL 

9,238

  

9,980

  

19,218

   

8,905

  

8,178

  

17,083

  

9,714

  

9,813

  

36,610

  

22

  

18

   

12

  

9

 
Oncology                                         
Keytruda 

3,899

  

4,176

  

8,076

   

3,284

  

3,388

  

6,672

  

3,715

  

3,993

  

14,380

  

23

  

20

   

21

  

18

 
Alliance Revenue – Lynparza (2) 

228

  

248

  

475

   

145

  

178

  

323

  

196

  

206

  

725

  

39

  

34

   

47

  

42

 
Alliance Revenue – Lenvima (2) 

130

  

181

  

310

   

128

  

151

  

279

  

142

  

158

  

580

  

19

  

15

   

11

  

8

 
Vaccines (3)                                         
Gardasil / Gardasil 9 

917

  

1,234

  

2,151

   

1,097

  

656

  

1,753

  

1,187

  

998

  

3,938

  

88

  

78

   

23

  

17

 
ProQuad / M-M-R II / Varivax 

449

  

516

  

965

   

435

  

378

  

813

  

576

  

488

  

1,878

  

36

  

35

   

19

  

17

 
Pneumovax 23 

171

  

152

  

323

   

256

  

117

  

373

  

375

  

339

  

1,087

   

30

  

27

   

-13

  

-16

 
RotaTeq 

158

  

208

  

366

   

222

  

168

  

391

  

210

  

196

  

797

  

23

  

19

   

-6

  

-8

 
Vaqta 

34

  

56

  

90

   

60

  

28

  

88

  

51

  

31

  

170

  

101

  

96

   

2

  

-

 
Hospital Acute Care                                         
Bridion 

340

  

387

  

727

   

299

  

224

  

524

  

320

  

355

  

1,198

  

72

  

67

   

39

  

35

 
Prevymis 

82

  

93

  

174

   

60

  

63

  

123

  

77

  

80

  

281

  

47

  

41

   

42

  

36

 
Noxafil 

67

  

66

  

133

   

94

  

73

  

168

  

79

  

82

  

329

  

-10

  

-14

   

-21

  

-24

 
Primaxin 

65

  

60

  

125

   

51

  

64

  

115

  

74

  

62

  

251

  

-6

  

-14

   

8

  

-

 
Cancidas 

57

  

54

  

111

   

55

  

43

  

98

  

50

  

65

  

213

  

24

  

17

   

13

  

8

 
Invanz 

57

  

48

  

104

   

64

  

43

  

108

  

51

  

53

  

211

  

10

  

3

   

-3

  

-5

 
Zerbaxa 

(8)

  

(1)

  

(9)

   

37

  

32

  

69

  

43

  

19

  

130

  

-104

  

-104

   

-113

  

-113

 
Immunology                                         
Simponi 

214

  

202

  

416

   

215

  

191

  

406

  

209

  

223

  

838

  

5

  

-3

   

2

  

-6

 
Remicade 

85

  

75

  

160

   

88

  

73

  

160

  

82

  

88

  

330

  

3

  

-3

   

-

  

-6

 
Neuroscience                                         
Belsomra 

79

  

78

  

157

   

79

  

84

  

163

  

81

  

83

  

327

  

-7

  

-6

   

-4

  

-5

 
Virology                                         
Isentress / Isentress HD 

209

  

192

  

401

   

245

  

196

  

441

  

205

  

211

  

857

  

-2

  

-5

   

-9

  

-11

 
Cardiovascular                                         
Alliance Revenue - Adempas/Verquvo (4) 

74

  

74

  

149

   

53

  

79

  

133

  

83

  

65

  

281

  

-7

  

13

   

12

  

23

 
Adempas (5) 

55

  

74

  

129

   

56

  

57

  

113

  

55

  

53

  

220

  

29

  

23

   

15

  

7

 
Diabetes (6)                                         
Januvia 

809

  

784

  

1,593

   

774

  

854

  

1,628

  

821

  

857

  

3,306

  

-8

  

-11

   

-2

  

-5

 
Janumet 

486

  

477

  

962

   

503

  

490

  

993

  

506

  

472

  

1,971

  

-3

  

-8

   

-3

  

-7

 
Other Pharmaceutical (7) 

581

  

546

  

1,130

   

605

  

548

  

1,149

  

526

  

636

  

2,312

  

-

  

-5

   

-2

  

-6

 
                                         
ANIMAL HEALTH 

1,418

  

1,472

  

2,890

   

1,214

  

1,101

  

2,314

  

1,220

  

1,168

  

4,703

  

34

  

27

   

25

  

21

 
Livestock 

819

  

821

  

1,640

   

739

  

648

  

1,386

  

758

  

794

  

2,939

  

27

  

20

   

18

  

15

 
Companion Animals 

599

  

651

  

1,250

   

475

  

453

  

928

  

462

  

374

  

1,764

  

44

  

38

   

35

  

31

 
                                         
Other Revenues (8) 

(29)

  

(50)

  

(79)

   

169

  

74

  

244

  

(5)

  

(33)

  

205

   

-167

  

-1

   

-132

  

-15

 
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) Total Vaccines sales were $1,809 million and $2,293 million in the first and second quarter of 2021, respectively, and $2,155 million, $1,418 million, $2,521 million and $2,163 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively.
(4) 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.
(5) Net product sales in Merck's marketing territories.        
(6) Total Diabetes sales were $1,363 million and $1,330 million in the first and second quarter of 2021, respectively, and $1,353 million, $1,418 million, $1,405 million and $1,412 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively.
(7) Includes Pharmaceutical products not individually shown above. 
(8) Other Revenues are comprised primarily of third-party manufacturing sales and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue hedging activities. 

Contacts:

Media Contact:
Patrick Ryan
(973) 275-7075

Melissa Moody
(215) 407-353

Investor Contacts:
Peter Dannenbaum
(908) 740-1037

Raychel Kruper
(908) 740-2107

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