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☆ Merck beats earnings expectations, raises sales outlook on strong demand for top drugs like Keytruda
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Merck on Tuesday reported second-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped Wall Street's expectations as it saw strong sales from its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda as well as other treatments in its oncology and vaccines portfolios and a newly launched cardiovascular drug. The pharmaceutical giant also raised its full-year sales forecast to a range of $63.4 billion to $64.4 billion on increased demand for key products, particularly its oncology treatments. That's only slightly higher than the $63.1 billion to $64.3 billion guidance the company provided in April. Merck reported $16.11 billion in revenue for the quarter, up 7% from the same period a year ago. Some analysts expect that worldwide sales of Winrevair could reach $5 billion by 2030.

Persons: Keytruda, Merck Organizations: Merck, Harpoon Therapeutics, LSEG, Prometheus Biosciences Locations: Rahway , New Jersey, U.S

☆ Merck results beat expectations on strong Keytruda sales, surprise Covid drug growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Merck on Thursday reported third-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings that topped expectations on strong sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, HPV vaccine Gardasil and surprisingly, its Covid drug Lagevrio. Merck lowered its adjusted profit guidance to $1.33 to $1.38 per share, from a previous forecast of $2.95 to $3.05 a share. But that updated outlook reflects an upfront charge of $5.5 billion, or $1.70 per share, related to the company's recent drug collaboration agreement with Daiichi Sankyo. Excluding Lagevrio, pharmaceutical sales grew 9%. The Covid antiviral treatment brought in $640 million in sales for the quarter, up 47% from the third quarter of 2022.

Persons: Merck Organizations: Merck, Prometheus Biosciences, Imago BioSciences, Kelun, Biotech, LSEG, U.S Locations: Japan, Australia

☆ A biotech firm founded by Vivek Ramaswamy turned $15 million into $5 billion by flipping a bowel-disease treatment that Pfizer gave it for free
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Roche acquired a bowel-disease treatment from Roivant for over $7 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementRoche's acquisition of a bowel-inflammation treatment delivered a massive windfall for presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy's company Roivant, the Wall Street Journal reported. But Roivant's expenses to develop the treatment, which targets an inflammatory protein called TL1A, amounted to just $15 million. And just this month, a $1.5 billion collaboration between Sanofi and Teva Pharmaceuticals was announced for more TL1A treatment. "This is a $15 billion market just in the US, and that's just in [inflammatory bowel disease," Roche chief Teresa Graham told the Journal.

Persons: Roche, Roivant, —, Vivek Ramaswamy's, Pfizer, TL1a, that's, " Roche, Teresa Graham Organizations: Wall Street Journal, Pfizer, Service, Telavant Holdings, Food and Drug Administration, Roivant, Prometheus Biosciences, Merck, Sanofi, Teva Pharmaceuticals, pharma Locations: Roivant, Japan

☆ Roche's $7 bln deal is pricey and partial cure
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Roche tablets are seen positioned in front of a displayed Roche logo in this photo illustration shot January 22, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 23 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Roche (ROG.S) has taken a small step towards curing its drug pipeline problem. JPMorgan analysts estimate that the drug’s U.S. sales could peak at 2.4 billion Swiss francs ($2.7 billion), but will take until 2037 to get there, assuming a 2028 launch. Analysts expect Roche’s pharmaceutical division to generate revenue of almost 45 billion Swiss francs this year, according to estimates compiled by LSEG. With expected free cash flow of around 16 billion Swiss francs this year and next, Roche can afford to buy a little more diversification.

Persons: Roche, Dado Ruvic, Thomas Schinecker, Peter Thal Larsen, Jean, Pierre Mustier, Atos, Jonathan Guilford, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Pfizer, U.S, New, JPMorgan, Merck, Prometheus Biosciences, Analysts, LSEG, X, News Corp, Thomson Locations: Swiss, U.S

New Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker is keen to restore Roche's battered drug development record after major late-stage trial setbacks in the areas of Alzheimer's and cancer immunotherapy last year. The acquired drug, against inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, belongs to a class of new treatments known as anti-TL1A antibodies which has attracted major deal activity in the pharma industry. Merck & Co (MRK.N) in April agreed to buy anti-TL1A antibody developer Prometheus Biosciences for $10.8 billion. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders with almost 8 million people diagnosed worldwide and 80% of all individuals not experiencing lasting remission, Roche said. "We strongly believe this novel TL1A directed antibody has the transformational potential to make a significant difference for patients living with inflammatory bowel disease and potentially other diseases," said Roche CEO Schinecker.

Persons: drugmaker Roche, Arnd, New Roche, Thomas Schinecker, Schinecker, Roche, John Revill, Ludwig Burger, Friederike Heine, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Roivant Holdings, Pfizer Inc, pharma, Sanofi, Merck & Co, Prometheus Biosciences, Thomson Locations: Basel, Switzerland, ZURICH, FRANKFURT, Swiss, U.S, Japan, Zurich, Frankfurt

☆ Here are Credit Suisse's top picks for August, including healthcare and tech stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-06 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Credit Suisse refreshed its "top of the crop" stock picks for August, betting on some big-name stocks as investors continue to feed the markets with optimism. Credit Suisse recently highlighted several stocks the bank's analysts think can outperform this month. "It is increasingly clear that greater service levels in the form of faster delivery is leading to consumers assigning a higher value to Prime" memberships, Credit Suisse said. Credit Suisse also named electronics manufacturer Flex Ltd. as a top pick. Credit Suisse assigned a $126 price target on Merck, which implies 20% appreciation from Friday's closing price.

Persons: Stocks, Stephen Ju, Amazon's, Ju, Shannon Cross, Flex, Cross, Trung Huynh, Merck, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Suisse, Credit Suisse, Amazon, Flex, Merck, Prometheus Biosciences

The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck & Co campus in Rahway, New Jersey, U.S., July 12, 2018. Merck said Keytruda sales for the quarter jumped 19% to $6.3 billion, surpassing analysts' average estimate of $5.9 billion. Sales of Gardasil, which prevents cancers caused by HPV, surged 47% to $2.5 billion, also well above Wall Street estimates of $2.1 billion. There is room for further Gardasil growth as its use expands into treating males and moves into smaller cities, he added. Despite those challenges, Merck raised its full-year sales forecast to $58.6 to $59.6 billion, from its prior view of $57.7 billion to $58.9 billion.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Merck, Rob Davis, Davis, Keytruda, Caroline Litchfield, Litchfield, Bill Smead, Prometheus, drugmaker, Michael Erman, Leroy Leo, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Merck, Co, REUTERS, Reuters Connect Companies Merck, Merck & Co, Keytruda, Prometheus Biosciences, Analysts, Prometheus, Smead Capital Management, drugmaker, Thomson Locations: Rahway , New Jersey, U.S, United States, China, Europe, Germany, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Merck beats quarterly sales estimate on top drugs' strength
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Michael Erman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Companies Merck & Co Inc FollowAug 1 (Reuters) - Merck & Co (MRK.N) posted better-than-expected second-quarter sales on Tuesday on strong demand for its two top-selling products, cancer immunotherapy Keytruda and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. Shares of Merck rose about 2% at $108.45 in premarket trading after the company also raised its full-year revenue forecast. Merck said Keytruda sales for the quarter jumped 19% to $6.3 billion, surpassing analysts' average estimate of $5.9 billion. Sales of Gardasil, which prevents cancers caused by HPV, surged 47% to $2.5 billion, also well above Wall Street estimates of $2.1 billion. Merck said it now expects full-year sales of $58.6 to $59.6 billion, up from its prior view of $57.7 billion to $58.9 billion.

Persons: Merck, Rob Davis, Davis, Keytruda, Cantor Fitzgerald, Louise Chen, Prometheus, drugmaker, Michael Erman, Leroy Leo, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Merck, Co, Merck & Co, Merck's, Prometheus Biosciences, Analysts, Prometheus, Thomson Locations: United States, China, U.S, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Merck CEO Rob Davis on Q2 results: We continue to see phenomenal growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMerck CEO Rob Davis on Q2 results: We continue to see phenomenal growthMerck chairman and CEO Rob Davis joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results, which reported second-quarter revenue that topped expectations on strong sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and HPV vaccine Gardasil, but posted a quarterly loss due to its acquisition of the biotech company Prometheus Biosciences earlier this year.

Persons: Rob Davis Organizations: Merck, Prometheus Biosciences

☆ Merck beats on revenue boosted by Keytruda sales, but posts quarterly loss due to Prometheus deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Merck on Tuesday reported second-quarter revenue that topped expectations on strong sales of its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda and HPV vaccine Gardasil. The pharmaceutical giant posted a quarterly loss, however, due to charges associated with the company's acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences earlier this year. Merck swung to a net loss of $5.98 billion, or $2.35 per share, from a net income of $3.94 billion, or $1.55 per share, during the year-earlier period. The loss reflects a $10.2 billion, or $4.02 per share, charge related to the company's acquisition of Prometheus, which specializes in treatments for autoimmune diseases. "What you really see...was long sustained underlying growth, and it was driven by oncology and vaccines, and the Gardasil franchise in vaccines," Merck CEO Robert Davis said in an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday.

Persons: Merck, Robert Davis Organizations: Merck, Prometheus Biosciences, Prometheus, Refinitiv Locations: U.S

☆ Earnings playbook: How to trade some of the biggest reports this week, including Apple
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

This quarter: Analysts polled by FactSet expect Merck to post a loss for the first quarter. Starbucks is set to report earnings after the bell, with management slated to hold a call at 5 p.m. This quarter: Analysts polled by FactSet expect double-digit earnings growth quarter over quarter. What history shows: Bespoke data shows Amazon earnings exceed earnings expectations 62% of the time. Apple is set to report earnings after the close, followed by a call at 5 p.m.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Annika Kim Constantino, Merck, Merck's, Joe Biden's, SBUX, Bank of America's Sara Senatore, Senatore, Albert Bourla, —, They're, AMZN, FactSet, Annie Palmer, Morgan Stanley, Erik Woodring, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Netflix, Merck, Apple, FactSet, CNBC, Prometheus Biosciences, Investment, Bank of America's, Pfizer, Management, Amazon Web Services, IDC Locations: China, 2Q23, New York, Carolina, Friday's

☆ Exclusive: MoonLake Immunotherapeutics explores sale-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( David Carnevali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 14 (Reuters) - MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (MLTX.O), a developer of an antibody-derived treatment for inflammatory skin conditions, is exploring a sale, according to people familiar with the matter. Immunology-focused companies have been coveted acquisition targets, as highlighted by recent deals such as Merck & Co's (MRK.N) $10.8 billion acquisition of Prometheus BioSciences Inc and Eli Lilly's (LLY.N) $2.4 billion purchase of Dice Therapeutics (DICE.O). MoonLake is testing Sonelokimab for the treatment of other inflammatory conditions, including psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. If successful, MoonLake would encroach on a market dominated by bigger peers such as Novartis AG (NOVN.S) and AbbVie Inc (ABBV.N). In 2022, MoonLake went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, which helped it raise more than $200 million in cash.

Persons: drugmakers, Eli Lilly's, MoonLake, hidradenitis suppurativa, hidradenitis, Merck KGaA, David Carnevali, Josie Kao Organizations: Nasdaq, Merck, Co's, Prometheus BioSciences, Dice Therapeutics, Novartis AG, AbbVie Inc, Citigroup, Thomson Locations: Zug, Switzerland, New York

☆ Analysis: Amgen's antitrust woes spur wider pharmaceutical deal fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( David Carnevali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Even shares of drug companies that do not have pending deals but are seen by analysts and investors as potential acquisition targets were hit. FTC officials did not respond to a request for comment on whether they planned to challenge any other pharmaceutical acquisitions. "We could see similar challenges to the Pfizer/Seagen deal" BMO analysts wrote in a note, arguing that the FTC could target other major drug companies with the resources to engage in bundling. UNDER THE RADARConversely, investors and analysts are hoping that smaller pharmaceutical acquisitions will continue to fly under the radar of regulators. Reporting by David Carnevali in New York; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Merck earnings better-than-expected on Keytruda, Gardasil strength
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 27 (Reuters) - Drugmaker Merck & Co on Thursday posted better-than-expected first-quarter results on the strength of its blockbuster cancer immunotherapy Keytruda and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil. Sales of Keytruda rose 20% to $5.8 billion in the quarter, topping the average analyst forecast of $5.6 billion. Gardasil sales rose 35% to $2 billion, beating analyst estimates of $1.7 billion. It forecast 2023 sales of $57.7 billion to $58.9 billion, up from its previous forecast of $57.2 billion to $58.7 billion. The company reported nearly $21 billion in Keytruda sales last year.

☆ Merck revenue falls after dramatic drop in sales of Covid antiviral treatment
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Merck on Thursday reported first-quarter revenue that fell 9% from the same period a year ago largely due to a steep drop in sales of its Covid antiviral treatment molnupiravir. Sales of molnupiravir plunged to $392 million during the period, down 88% from the $3.2 billion reported in the first quarter of 2022. Merck said the decrease is primarily the result of lower sales in the U.S., U.K., Japan and Australia. The company reported total revenue of $14.5 billion during the quarter, down nearly $1.5 billion from the same period a year ago. But Merck's pharmaceutical unit saw higher sales of the blockbuster antibody treatment Keytruda, which increased 20% to $5.8 billion during the quarter.

☆ How to Tell Biotech’s Likely Winners From Losers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( David Wainer | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Photo: ARIANA DREHSLER for The Wall Street JournalJust a handful of biotech companies have approved products and growing sales. Merck ’s $10.8 billion acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences, which is developing a promising treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, is giving the entire biotech sector a lift. On Monday, the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF, which has underperformed other growth sectors this year, closed up 4.7%. For the year, the Biotech fund is down 1.4% versus the Nasdaq-100’s gain of 20%.

Wall Street closed lower on Friday after mixed economic data appeared to affirm another Fed interest rate hike in May, dampening investor enthusiasm after a series of big U.S. bank earnings launched the first-quarter reporting season. "Regional bank earnings will come in very slightly positive, while bigger banks will probably post surprisingly positive results." Other major U.S. banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N), Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) and Morgan Stanley (MS.N) will report through the week. ET, Dow e-minis were up 35 points, or 0.10%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 1.75 points, or 0.04%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 3.75 points, or 0.03%. Prometheus Biosciences Inc (RXDX.O) rallied 69.9% after Merck & Co (MRK.N) said it will buy the biotech company for about $10.8 billion.

☆ Futures subdued as investors eye bank earnings, Fed cues
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies Futures up: Dow 0.07%, S&P 0.10%, Nasdaq 0.01%April 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were largely flat on Monday as investors awaited more bank earnings and views from Federal Reserve policymakers that could shape expectations around when the central bank will pause its monetary policy tightening. Wall Street ended lower on Friday as a barrage of mixed economic data appeared to affirm another Fed interest rate hike in May, dampening investor enthusiasm after a series of big U.S. bank earnings launched the first-quarter reporting season. U.S. central bank officials including New York Fed President John Williams and Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester are scheduled to speak later this week. ET (1230 GMT) is expected to show business conditions in New York state improved in April after slumping in the previous month. ET, Dow e-minis were up 24 points, or 0.07%, S&P 500 e-minis were up 4.25 points, or 0.10%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 1 point, or 0.01%.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves premarket: Charles Schwab, Dell, Alphabet, HP Inc. & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Charles Schwab — Shares of Charles Schwab gained 3% on better-than-expected earnings. The company posted a profit of 93 cents per share, beating a Refinitiv forecast of 90 cents per share. M&T Bank — The regional bank stock jumped 3% after the company posted its latest quarterly figures. Lumentum — The optical fiber manufacturer rose slightly after JPMorgan upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral. Ollie's Bargain Outlet — The discount retail rose 3% in premarket trading after JPMorgan upgraded the stock to neutral from overweight.

☆ Morning Bid: Banks calm the horses
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

As U.S. banking giants calm the horses, global investors are now concentrated on world growth and earnings signals more than interest rate rises for direction - with an assumption the latter are near an end anyway. Somewhat relieved analysts marginally brightened their dim outlook for first-quarter U.S. results compared with a week ago. Futures markets now see a more than 80% chance the Fed will execute one final quarter point rate rise next month - reversing it by September. That rate rise would bring the real Fed policy rate - adjusted by headline consumer price inflation - into positive territory for the first time in three years. The dollar extended Friday's rebound as the May rate rise pricing hardened.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Alphabet, Charles Schwab, State Street, Moderna and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

State Street , M&T Bank – Shares of State Street dropped 11% after the company posted disappointing earnings and revenue. State Street posted earnings of $1.52 per share on revenue of $3.10 billion, while analysts called for per-share earnings of $1.64 and revenue of $3.12 billion, according to Refinitiv. Meanwhile, M&T Bank shares popped 5% higher after the bank reported beats on the top and bottom lines. Charles Schwab — Shares of Charles Schwab rose about 2.5% after the brokerage firm posted better-than-expected earnings on Monday. Schwab posted adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share, beating analysts' forecast of 90 cents per share, according to Refinitiv.

Wall Street closed lower on Friday after mixed economic data appeared to affirm another Fed rate hike in May, dampening investor enthusiasm after a series of big U.S. bank earnings launched the first-quarter reporting season. Other major U.S. banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N), Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) and Morgan Stanley (MS.N) will report through the week. "Regional bank earnings will come in very slightly positive, while bigger banks will probably post surprisingly positive results," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. Prometheus Biosciences Inc (RXDX.O) rallied 69.5% on Merck & Co's (MRK.N) plans to buy the biotech company for about $10.8 billion. The S&P index recorded nine new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 29 new highs and 55 new lows.

Merck has been looking for deals to add new products to its pipeline. Merck & Co. is in late-stage talks to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc., according to people familiar with the matter, a move that could give the big drugmaker promising immune disease treatments. A deal for Prometheus could be announced as soon as Sunday, the people said, cautioning the talks could still fall apart.

☆ Merck to buy Prometheus Biosciences for about $11 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 16 (Reuters) - Merck & Co (MRK.N) has agreed to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc (RXDX.O) for about $10.8 billion to bolster the company's presence in immunology, the companies said on Sunday. Prometheus had a market capitalization of $5.42 billion at Friday's close. "The agreement with Prometheus will accelerate our growing presence in immunology where there remains substantial unmet patient need. The deal, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is expected to close in the third quarter of the year, the companies said. Merck in February forecast 2023 earnings below Wall Street estimates and an expected steep decline in sales of its COVID-19 antiviral treatment.

☆ Merck in late-stage talks to acquire Prometheus Biosciences -WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

April 16 (Reuters) - Merck & Co (MRK.N) is in late-stage talks to acquire Prometheus Biosciences Inc (RXDX.O) to get its hands on promising immune disease treatments, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday citing people familiar with the matter. Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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