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Merck & Co., Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 2 new, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales rose 4% on Keytruda: Worldwide sales were $17.3 billion, up 4% and up 3% excluding foreign exchange. Pharmaceutical sales rose on oncology, cardiovascular and diabetes, with Keytruda up 10% to $8.1 billion. Source
  • EPS rose on prior-year deal charges: GAAP EPS was $2.32 versus $1.24, and non-GAAP EPS was $2.58 versus $1.57. The prior-year quarter included a $0.79 per-share net charge for EyeBio, Curon and Daiichi Sankyo transactions. Source
  • Keytruda QLEX approved for solid tumors: FDA approved subcutaneous Keytruda QLEX for most solid tumor indications in September, and for resectable locally advanced head and neck cancer in October. The company describes it as deliverable in as little as one minute. Source
  • WINREVAIR sales more than doubled: WINREVAIR sales reached $360 million, up 141%, with continued U.S. uptake. Distributor purchase timing and lower U.S. net pricing partly offset growth. Source
  • CORALreef Lipids met all endpoints: The Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids trial of oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide decanoate met all primary and key secondary endpoints in adults with hypercholesterolemia. Management said enlicitide has the potential to be the first approved oral PCSK9 inhibitor. Source
  • Gross margin rose on product mix: GAAP gross margin was 77.7% versus 75.5%, and non-GAAP gross margin was 81.9% versus 80.5%. Lower restructuring costs also contributed, partly offset by higher inventory write-offs. Source

“In the third quarter, we continued to execute on our strategy with important pipeline advancements, significant approvals and successful new product launches,”

Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Worldwide sales Sourcefull-year 2025$64.5 billion to $65.0 billion
Non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2025$8.93 to $8.98Raised from $8.87 to $8.97
Non-GAAP gross margin Sourcefull-year 2025Approximately 82%Kept
Non-GAAP operating expenses Sourcefull-year 2025$25.9 billion to $26.4 billion
Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net Sourcefull-year 2025$400 million to $500 million expense
Non-GAAP effective tax rate Sourcefull-year 202514.0% to 15.0%Lowered from 15.0% to 16.0%
Share count (assuming dilution) Sourcefull-year 2025Approximately 2.51 billionKept
Foreign exchange impact on non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2025Negative approximately $0.15 per shareKept
Verona Pharma acquisition impact on non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2025Negative $0.04 per shareNew
Koselugo AstraZeneca amendment impact on non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2025Benefit of approximately $0.09 per shareNew
One-time charges in non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2025$0.16 per share in totalKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year non-GAAP EPS range raised to $8.93 to $8.98 from $8.87 to $8.97. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year non-GAAP effective tax rate range lowered to 14.0% to 15.0% from 15.0% to 16.0%. Source
  • New: Verona Pharma acquisition completed in October, adding OHTUVAYRE to the portfolio. Source
  • New: Koselugo collaboration with AstraZeneca amended; revenue and cost sharing discontinued and payment structure revised. Source
  • New: Construction started on a $3 billion pharmaceutical manufacturing center of excellence at Elkton, Virginia. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Sales rose 4% on Keytruda: Worldwide sales were $17.3 billion, up 4% and up 3% excluding foreign exchange. Pharmaceutical sales rose on oncology, cardiovascular and diabetes, with Keytruda up 10% to $8.1 billion. Source
  • EPS rose on prior-year deal charges: GAAP EPS was $2.32 versus $1.24, and non-GAAP EPS was $2.58 versus $1.57. The prior-year quarter included a $0.79 per-share net charge for EyeBio, Curon and Daiichi Sankyo transactions. Source
  • Net income up 83%: GAAP net income attributable to the company was $5,785 million versus $3,157 million. Non-GAAP net income was $6,448 million, up 62%. Source
  • Nine-month sales flat year over year: Sales for the first nine months were $48,611 million against $48,544 million a year earlier. Nine-month GAAP EPS was $6.08 versus $5.26. Source

Segments and regions

  • Animal Health grew 9%: Animal Health sales were $1.6 billion, up 9% and up 7% excluding foreign exchange. Livestock sales rose 16% on demand across all species and timing of sales. Source
  • Companion Animal fell on fewer visits: Companion Animal sales fell 2% to $592 million. The company cited fewer veterinary visits and competitive pressure for parasiticides, partly offset by higher pricing. Source
  • Gardasil decline tied to China: Gardasil and Gardasil 9 fell 24% to $1.7 billion. Excluding China, sales declined 2%, reflecting lower demand in Japan after a national catch-up immunization program. Source

“We’re delivering value to patients and customers through our innovative portfolio of medicines and vaccines, and we’re securing our future by making important investments in our pipeline”

Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer

Products, approvals and pipeline

  • Keytruda QLEX approved for solid tumors: FDA approved subcutaneous Keytruda QLEX for most solid tumor indications in September, and for resectable locally advanced head and neck cancer in October. The company describes it as deliverable in as little as one minute. Source
  • WINREVAIR sales more than doubled: WINREVAIR sales reached $360 million, up 141%, with continued U.S. uptake. Distributor purchase timing and lower U.S. net pricing partly offset growth. Source
  • WINREVAIR label expanded to outcomes: The FDA updated the U.S. WINREVAIR label to include hospitalization for PAH, lung transplantation and death as components of clinical worsening events. Source
  • CORALreef Lipids met all endpoints: The Phase 3 CORALreef Lipids trial of oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide decanoate met all primary and key secondary endpoints in adults with hypercholesterolemia. Management said enlicitide has the potential to be the first approved oral PCSK9 inhibitor. Source
  • Japan approvals and Keytruda Europe steps: Japan approved SILGARD 9 and CAPVAXIVE in August. The CHMP adopted an opinion recommending subcutaneous Keytruda, and the EC approved Keytruda for perioperative use in resectable head and neck cancer. Source

Costs, margins and expenses

  • Gross margin rose on product mix: GAAP gross margin was 77.7% versus 75.5%, and non-GAAP gross margin was 81.9% versus 80.5%. Lower restructuring costs also contributed, partly offset by higher inventory write-offs. Source
  • R&D fell on prior-year deal charges: GAAP R&D fell 28% to $4.2 billion. Excluding business development charges, R&D rose on clinical development spending. Non-GAAP R&D was $4.0 billion, down 32%. Source
  • SG&A and restructuring costs fell: GAAP SG&A was $2.6 billion, down 4%. Restructuring costs were $47 million versus $56 million a year earlier. Source
  • Equity investments drove other income: Other income was $238 million versus $162 million a year earlier, mainly from net income on equity securities. The prior year included $170 million from a Daiichi Sankyo payment. Source
  • Tax rate 14.2% GAAP: The GAAP effective tax rate was 14.2% and the non-GAAP rate was 13.4% for the quarter. Non-GAAP results exclude acquisition costs, restructuring costs and equity investment income. Source

Demand and pricing

  • Keytruda helped by wholesaler timing: Keytruda demand came from metastatic indications and earlier-stage uptake in triple-negative breast, cervical, renal cell and lung cancers. Sales also benefited from U.S. wholesaler purchase timing. Source
  • Januvia rose on U.S. pricing: Januvia and Janumet rose 29% on higher U.S. net pricing. Lower China demand and generic competition in most other international markets partly offset the gain. Source
  • Lagevrio and Vaxneuvance sales fell: Lagevrio sales fell 64% on lower demand in Asia Pacific, particularly Japan, and in the U.S. Vaxneuvance fell 6%, mainly in Japan due to competitive pressure. Source
  • Simponi sales ended: Simponi reported no sales this quarter, after marketing rights in former territories reverted to Johnson & Johnson on October 1, 2024. Source

Capital and manufacturing investment

  • Elkton manufacturing site under construction: The $3 billion, 400,000-square-foot center covers active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product investment, with more than 500 full-time jobs. Source
  • Over $70 billion domestic investment: Management reiterated a commitment to dedicate more than $70 billion beginning in 2025 to domestic manufacturing and R&D, not including future business development in R&D. Source
  • Diluted share count lower: Average diluted shares were 2,498 million in the quarter, down from 2,541 million a year earlier. The nine-month figure was 2,514 million versus 2,543 million. Source

Strategy and business development

  • Verona adds COPD to cardio-pulmonary portfolio: Management described the Verona Pharma acquisition as strengthening the cardio-pulmonary portfolio with a first-in-class COPD maintenance treatment. Source
  • Tulisokibart program widened: The company began Phase 2b trials of tulisokibart in three additional immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, expanding that clinical development program. Source
  • Guidance excludes new deals: Management said the financial figures do not assume additional significant business development transactions, consistent with past practice. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 October 2025

  • Investor event at AHA on Nov. 9: Management will host an investor event on Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. CT in New Orleans, timed with AHA Scientific Sessions, Nov. 7-10, where new cardiovascular data will be presented. Source
  • EU decision on subcutaneous Keytruda: Following the CHMP opinion recommending approval of subcutaneous Keytruda for all adult indications, a European Commission final decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Keytruda with Padcev bladder cancer decision: The FDA set a PDUFA date of April 7, 2026 for Keytruda and Keytruda QLEX with Padcev in certain patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Source
  • Ovarian cancer decision due February 2026: The FDA set a PDUFA date of Feb. 20, 2026 for Keytruda plus chemotherapy in certain patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
KEYTRUDA sales Source$8,142 million, up 10%
GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales Source$1,749 million, down 24%
WINREVAIR sales Source$360 million, up 141%
CAPVAXIVE sales Source$244 million
Lynparza alliance revenue Source$379 million, up 12%
GAAP R&D expense Source$4.2 billion, down 28%
FDA approval SourceKEYTRUDA QLEX for most solid tumor indications
Phase 3 trial readout SourceCORALreef Lipids met all primary and key secondary endpoints
Phase 3 trial readout Source76% reduction in clinical worsening events versus placebo
Generic competition, JANUVIA/JANUMET SourceSales $624 million, up 29%; generic competition in most international markets
Generic competition, BRIDION SourceSales $439 million, up 5%; generic competition in most international markets

Risks management discussed

  • External: Tariffs are an external cost factor. Management cited lower estimated tariff costs as one of the items in the revised EPS range. Source
  • Regulatory: Lower U.S. net pricing for WINREVAIR, largely from the Medicare Part D redesign, partly offset its sales growth this quarter. Source
  • Demand: Gardasil demand in Japan fell after a national catch-up immunization program, adding to the decline in China. Source
  • Operational: Higher inventory write-offs partly offset the gross margin gain from product mix and lower restructuring costs. Source
  • Financial: Management said items such as impairments, legal settlements and equity investment income are hard to forecast and could significantly affect future GAAP results. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The second-quarter release expected the Verona deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. This release reports the acquisition as completed in October. Source
  • Not stated: Management said the revised EPS range reflects the one-time charges for the Hengrui Pharma license and the LaNova technology transfer, as previously communicated. Source
  • Not stated: Management reiterated the company's commitment to this domestic investment level, excluding future business development in R&D. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.