Merck Raises Profit Forecast as Keytruda Subcutaneous Sales Surge

Revenue climbed to $18.09 billion, a 5% increase over the previous year, buoyed by the rapid adoption of Keytruda Qlex. This subcutaneous injection generated $830 million in quarterly sales, comfortably beating the $649 million estimate. Merck is actively transitioning patients to this newer form to secure market share before original Keytruda patents begin to expire in 2028.

Beyond its core immunotherapy, Merck saw notable growth in other segments. The lung condition treatment Winrevair brought in $694 million, a 93% jump that exceeded projections. Additionally, the Gardasil vaccine rebounded from previous inventory struggles, reaching $2 billion in sales due to heightened U.S. demand. While animal health revenue slightly missed targets at $1.68 billion, the firm’s overall performance led to an adjusted profit guidance increase to between $2.77 and $2.82 per share, even after accounting for a $400 million charge linked to the SciBrunch licensing agreement.