On July 28, 2022 Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reported financial results for the second quarter of 2022 (Press release, Merck & Co, JUL 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234617083]).

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"I continue to be immensely proud of how the Merck team is performing in all facets of our business — scientifically, commercially and operationally," said Robert M. Davis, chief executive officer and president. "Our strategy is working and our future is bright. I am very confident that we are well-positioned to achieve our near- and long-term goals, anchored by our commitment to deliver innovative medicines and vaccines to patients and value to all of our stakeholders, including shareholders."

Financial Summary

Financial information presented in this release reflects Merck’s results on a continuing operations basis, which excludes Organon & Co. that was spun-off on June 2, 2021.

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) earnings per share (EPS) assuming dilution was $1.55 for the second quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.87 for the second quarter of 2022 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs, as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities. In 2022, the company changed the treatment of certain items for purposes of its non-GAAP reporting. Results for 2021 have been recast to conform to the new presentation, which reduced previously reported second-quarter 2021 non-GAAP EPS of $1.31, resulting in revised non-GAAP EPS of $0.61. For more information, refer to the Form 8-K filed by the company on April 21, 2022.

Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Vaccines Program Highlights

The FDA approved an expanded indication for VAXNEUVANCE (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) to include infants and children. VAXNEUVANCE is now indicated to help prevent invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the serotypes in the vaccine in individuals six weeks and older.
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously voted to provisionally recommend use of VAXNEUVANCE as an option to the currently available 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for children under 19 years according to currently recommended PCV13 dosing and schedules. These provisional recommendations will be reviewed by the director of the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, and final recommendations will become official when published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Merck presented positive results from the Phase 1/2 study for V116, Merck’s investigational Pneumococcal 21-Valent Conjugate Vaccine designed to target serotypes that account for 85% of all invasive pneumococcal diseases in U.S. adults 65 years and older as of 20193, and enrolled the first patient into the Phase 3 STRIDE-3 trial evaluating V116 in vaccine-naïve adults. V116 contains eight serotypes not included in any currently licensed pneumococcal vaccine.
Oncology Program Highlights

Merck announced the following regulatory milestones for KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab):
The FDA accepted an application seeking approval for KEYTRUDA as adjuvant therapy for stage IB (>4 centimeters), II or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following complete surgical resection based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-091 trial. The FDA has set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act date of January 29, 2023, however further data may be provided during the review process that may delay this date.
The EC approved four indications for KEYTRUDA:
Approved as monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adult and adolescent patients (>12 years of age) with stage IIB or IIC melanoma and who have undergone complete resection, based on results from the KEYNOTE-716 trial. The EC also approved expanding the indication for KEYTRUDA in advanced and stage III melanoma to include adolescent patients 12 years and older.
Approved in combination with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and then continued as adjuvant monotherapy after surgery, for adults with locally advanced or early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) at high risk of recurrence, based on results from the KEYNOTE-522 trial.
Approved as monotherapy for the treatment of certain adult patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors for five types of cancer: unresectable or metastatic colorectal, gastric, small intestine or biliary cancer, as well as advanced or recurrent MSI-H/dMMR endometrial cancer, based on results from the KEYNOTE-164 and KEYNOTE-158 trials.
Approved in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score ≥ 1), based on results from the KEYNOTE 826 trial.
The European Medicines Agency Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use adopted a positive opinion for Lynparza (olaparib), an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca, as adjuvant treatment for patients with germline BRCA-mutated, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative high-risk early breast cancer who have been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, based on results from the Phase 3 OlympiA trial.
At the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, Merck presented new data in more than 25 types of cancer and held an investor event to highlight key data and provide updates from its late-stage development programs and diverse early-stage pipeline.
Global Pharmaceuticals Program Highlight

Merck, in collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, announced data from a pre-specified exploratory analysis for LAGEVRIO (molnupiravir) from the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT study indicating that a lower proportion of participants treated with LAGEVRIO had an acute care visit or COVID-19-related acute care visit versus placebo. Additionally, in a post-hoc subgroup analysis, fewer LAGEVRIO-treated patients who were hospitalized post-randomization in MOVe-OUT required respiratory interventions (including invasive mechanical ventilation) compared to those who received placebo.
Second-Quarter Revenue Performance

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

Pharmaceutical Revenue

Second-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 28% to $12.8 billion. Pharmaceutical sales growth in the second quarter was 16% excluding LAGEVRIO sales, and was primarily driven by oncology, vaccines and hospital acute care products. The COVID-19 pandemic unfavorably affected sales in the second quarter of 2021 by approximately $400 million, which favorably impacted the growth rate in the second quarter of 2022.

LAGEVRIO sales totaled $1.2 billion for the second quarter, primarily consisting of sales in Japan and the U.K. The initial commitment of LAGEVRIO to the U.S. was fulfilled in the first quarter of 2022.

Growth in oncology was largely driven by higher sales of KEYTRUDA, which rose 26% to $5.3 billion in the quarter. Global sales growth of KEYTRUDA reflects continued strong momentum from metastatic indications including certain types of NSCLC, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, TNBC and MSI-H cancers, and increased uptake across recent earlier-stage launches including certain types of neoadjuvant/adjuvant TNBC in the U.S.

Also contributing to higher sales in oncology was a 28% increase in Lenvima (lenvatinib) alliance revenue driven primarily by higher demand in the U.S., and an 11% increase in Lynparza alliance revenue reflecting continued demand globally, particularly in the U.S. driven by strong uptake in earlier-stage breast cancer.

Growth in vaccines was primarily driven by higher combined sales of GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent [Types 6, 11, 16 and 18] Vaccine, Recombinant) and GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) vaccines to prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Second-quarter GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales grew 36% to $1.7 billion primarily driven by strong demand outside of the U.S., particularly in China, which also benefited from increased supply.

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. Sales increased 10% to $426 million, primarily due to an increase in its share among neuromuscular blockade reversal agents and an increase in surgical procedures during the second quarter. Growth in hospital acute care also reflects higher sales of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam), a combination cephalosporin antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitor for the treatment of adults with certain bacterial infections. Sales of $46 million resulted from the phased resupply initiated in the fourth quarter of 2021 that is being expanded to additional markets during 2022.

Pharmaceutical sales growth was partially offset by lower combined sales of ISENTRESS/ISENTRESS HD (raltegravir), an HIV integrase inhibitor used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, which declined 24% to $147 million reflecting lower global demand. Pharmaceutical sales growth was also partially offset by lower combined sales of JANUVIA (sitagliptin) and JANUMET (sitagliptin and metformin HCI), which declined 2% to $1.2 billion, primarily reflecting the unfavorable effect of foreign exchange and lower pricing in certain international markets, partially offset by the impact of a prior year unfavorable adjustment to rebate reserves in the U.S. The company lost market exclusivity for JANUVIA and JANUMET in China in July and will lose market exclusivity in the European Union in September.

Animal Health Revenue

Animal Health sales totaled $1.5 billion for the second quarter of 2022, flat compared to the second quarter of 2021. Excluding the unfavorable effect from foreign exchange, Animal Health sales grew 5%. Sales were driven primarily by livestock products reflecting higher demand globally for ruminant and poultry products. Sales in companion animal products were primarily driven by the BRAVECTO (fluralaner) parasiticide line of products.

Second-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 71.1% for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 72.8% for the second quarter of 2021. The decrease primarily reflects impacts from LAGEVRIO, which has a lower gross margin due to profit sharing with Ridgeback, as well as higher inventory write-offs, higher manufacturing costs and higher acquisition- and divestiture-related costs. The gross margin decline was partially offset by the favorable effects of product mix.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 10% compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects higher promotion and administrative costs, including compensation and benefit costs, as well as higher acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Research and development (R&D) expenses were $2.8 billion in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease was primarily driven by a $1.7 billion charge in the prior year for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. (Pandion). The decline was partially offset by higher clinical development spending, higher compensation and benefits, and higher investments in technology in support of the digital enablement of Merck’s research operations.

Other (income) expense, net, was $438 million of expense in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $103 million of income in the second quarter of 2021, primarily due to net unrealized losses from investments in equity securities in the second quarter of 2022, compared to net unrealized income from investments in equity securities in the second quarter of 2021. Other (income) expense, net, in the second quarter of 2022 also reflects higher pension settlement costs of approximately $100 million compared to the second quarter of 2021.

The effective income tax rate was 12.0% for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 29.3% in the second quarter of 2021. The effective income tax rate in the second quarter of 2021 reflects no tax benefit recognized on the charge for the acquisition of Pandion.

GAAP EPS was $1.55 for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $0.48 for the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Non-GAAP gross margin was 74.7% for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 76.5% for the second quarter of 2021. The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin primarily reflects impacts from LAGEVRIO, which has a lower gross margin due to profit sharing with Ridgeback, as well as higher inventory write-offs and manufacturing costs. The gross margin decline was partially offset by the favorable effects of product mix.

Non-GAAP SG&A expenses were $2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of 7% compared to the second quarter of 2021. The increase primarily reflects higher promotion and administrative costs, including compensation and benefit costs, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $2.8 billion in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $4.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021. The decrease primarily reflects a $1.7 billion charge in the prior year for the acquisition of Pandion. The decline was partially offset by higher clinical development spending, higher compensation and benefits, and higher investments in technology in support of the digital enablement of Merck’s research operations.

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $202 million of expense in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $38 million of expense in the second quarter of 2021 reflecting higher pension settlement costs of approximately $100 million.

The non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 13.8% for the second quarter of 2022 compared to 26.7% in the second quarter of 2021. The non-GAAP effective income tax rate in the second quarter of 2021 reflects no tax benefit recognized on the charge for the acquisition of Pandion.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.87 for the second quarter of 2022 compared to $0.61 for the second quarter of 2021.

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

Financial Outlook

Beginning in 2022, Merck no longer excludes expenses for upfront and milestone payments related to collaborations and licensing agreements, or charges related to pre-approval assets obtained in transactions accounted for as asset acquisitions from its non-GAAP results. Historically, the company excluded these charges to the extent they were considered by the company to be significant to the results of a particular period. These changes were made to align with views expressed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior periods have been recast to reflect this change. For 2021, non-GAAP results have been recast to include $1.7 billion of incremental R&D expense, resulting in revised full-year 2021 EPS of $5.37.

Business development continues to be a priority for Merck, as demonstrated by the company’s recent collaboration with Orion announced in July for the development and commercialization of ODM-208, an investigational steroid synthesis inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The GAAP and non-GAAP financial outlooks include the upfront payment of $290 million, which will have an estimated $0.09 negative impact on full-year EPS.

As an on-going practice, the financial outlook will not include significant potential business development transactions.

Merck continues to experience strong global underlying demand across its key pillars of growth, particularly in oncology and vaccines. As a result, Merck is raising and narrowing its full-year guidance for sales.

At mid-July 2022 exchange rates, Merck expects sales growth of 18% to 20% in 2022, with full-year sales estimated to be between $57.5 billion and $58.5 billion, including a negative impact from foreign exchange of approximately 3%, a greater than 1% incremental negative impact from prior sales guidance.

Merck’s estimated full-year non-GAAP effective income tax rate is unchanged and expected to be between 13.5% and 14.5%.

Merck expects its estimated full-year 2022 GAAP EPS to be between $5.89 and $5.99.

Merck is narrowing its expected full-year 2022 non-GAAP EPS range to be between $7.25 and $7.35, including a negative impact from foreign exchange of approximately 3% at mid-July exchange rates. Operational strength of approximately $0.25 that would have resulted in an increase from the previous guidance range is being offset by the following negative impacts:

The upfront payment of $290 million to Orion
A greater than 1% incremental negative impact from foreign exchange
Higher U.S. pension settlement expense
The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs and costs related to restructuring programs as well as income and losses from investments in equity securities.

The company continues to expect sales of $5.0 billion to $5.5 billion from LAGEVRIO for full-year 2022. Merck shares profits equally with its partner, Ridgeback, which is reflected in cost of sales.

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.

Participants may join the call by dialing 877-692-8955 (USA Toll-Free) or 234-720-6979. If you are calling from other countries, visit this weblink. All dial-in participants can use the access code 1857604. Journalists who wish to ask questions are requested to contact a member of Merck’s Media Relations team.