Fourth-Quarter Worldwide Sales Were $15.6 Billion, an Increase of 7% From Fourth Quarter 2023; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Growth Was 9%
Fourth-Quarter GAAP EPS Was $1.48; Non-GAAP EPS Was $1.72; GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS Include a Charge of $0.23 per Share Related to Certain Business Development Transactions
Full-Year Worldwide Sales Were $64.2 Billion, an Increase of 7% From Full Year 2023; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Growth Was 10%
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KEYTRUDA Sales Grew 18% to $29.5 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 22%
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WINREVAIR Sales Were $419 Million
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Animal Health Sales Grew 4% to $5.9 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 8%
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GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 Sales Declined 3% to $8.6 Billion; Excluding the Impact of Foreign Exchange, Sales Declined 2%
Full-Year 2024 GAAP EPS Was $6.74; Non-GAAP EPS Was $7.65; GAAP and Non-GAAP EPS Include a Net Charge of $1.28 per Share Related to Certain Business Development Transactions
In the Fourth Quarter:
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Announced Positive Topline Results From Pivotal Phase 3 Trial of Subcutaneous Pembrolizumab With Berahyaluronidase Alfa
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Received FDA Acceptance of Biologics License Application for Clesrovimab, an Investigational Long-Acting Monoclonal Antibody Designed to Protect Infants From RSV Disease During Their First RSV Season
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Augmented Diverse Pipeline Through Exclusive Global Licenses With LaNova for MK-2010, an Investigational Anti-PD-1/VEGF Bispecific Antibody, and With Hansoh for MK-4082, an Investigational Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Received Approval of GARDASIL for Males in China, in January 2025
Full-Year 2025 Financial Outlook
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Anticipates Worldwide Sales To Be Between $64.1 Billion and $65.6 Billion
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Expects Non-GAAP EPS To Be Between $8.88 and $9.03; Outlook Reflects a One-Time Charge of Approximately $0.09 per Share Related to an Anticipated Milestone Payment to LaNova
February 4, 2025 6:30 am ET--RAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024.
“We delivered strong growth in 2024, reflecting demand for our innovative portfolio, including for KEYTRUDA, which continues to benefit more patients with cancer globally, the successful launch of WINREVAIR and strong performance of our Animal Health business,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. "We’re continuing to progress our pipeline, advance key clinical programs and augment our pipeline through promising business development. Our business remains well positioned thanks to the dedication of our talented global team, and I am more confident than ever in our long-term growth potential.”
Financial Summary
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) earnings per share (EPS) assuming dilution was $1.48 for the fourth quarter and $6.74 for the full year of 2024. Non-GAAP EPS was $1.72 for the fourth quarter and $7.65 for the full year of 2024. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2024 include a charge of $0.23 per share related to the execution of licensing agreements with LaNova Medicines Ltd. (LaNova) and Hansoh Pharma (Hansoh). GAAP loss per share and non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter of 2023 include a charge of $1.69 per share related to a collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo. GAAP and non-GAAP EPS for the full years of 2024 and 2023 include charges of $1.28 and $6.21 per share, respectively, related to certain collaborations, licensing agreements and asset acquisitions.
Non-GAAP EPS excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, and income and losses from investments in equity securities. Non-GAAP EPS in the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 also exclude a benefit due to a reduction in reserves for unrecognized income tax benefits resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations for assessments related to certain federal tax return years. Non-GAAP EPS for the full year of 2023 also excludes a charge related to settlements with certain plaintiffs in the Zetia antitrust litigation.
Full-Year 2025 Financial Outlook
The following table summarizes the company’s full-year financial outlook.
*The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to sales.
**Includes $300 million for an anticipated milestone payment to LaNova associated with the technology transfer for MK-2010 expected to be completed in 2025. Outlook does not assume any additional significant potential business development transactions.
***Includes expected one-time charge of approximately $0.09 per share related to the $300 million milestone payment to LaNova upon completion of the technology transfer for MK-2010.
Merck has not provided a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, non-GAAP effective tax rate and non-GAAP EPS to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, given it cannot predict with reasonable certainty the amounts necessary for such a reconciliation, including intangible asset impairment charges, legal settlements, and income and losses from investments in equity securities either owned directly or through ownership interests in investment funds, without unreasonable effort. These items are inherently difficult to forecast and could have a significant impact on the company’s future GAAP results.
Merck anticipates full-year 2025 sales to be between $64.1 billion and $65.6 billion, including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately 2% at mid-January 2025 exchange rates. This sales range reflects a decision to temporarily pause shipments of GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 into China beginning February 2025 through at least mid-year.
Merck’s full-year non-GAAP effective income tax rate is expected to be between 16.0% and 17.0%.
Merck expects full-year 2025 non-GAAP EPS to be between $8.88 and $9.03, including a negative impact of foreign exchange of approximately $0.35 per share. This range includes an expected one-time charge of $300 million, or approximately $0.09 per share, related to a milestone payment to LaNova, which will be recognized upon completion of the technology transfer for MK-2010. In 2024, non-GAAP EPS of $7.65 was negatively impacted by a net charge of $1.28 per share related to certain asset acquisitions, licensing agreements and collaborations.
Consistent with past practice, the financial outlook does not assume additional significant potential business development transactions.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities.