Merck KGaA declines in Q2
pharmafile | August 7, 2013 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Erbitux, Merck KGaA, Q2, Serono
Sales of cancer drug Erbitux dropped as Merck Serono’s revenues for the second quarter of 2013 dipped year-on-year, the firm blaming the negative impact of currency exchange for the fall.
Merck KGaA’s revenue overall fell by -0.4% to €2.8 billion for the three months to the end of June, compared with the same period in 2012.
Merck Serono, the biopharma arm of the German firm, saw revenue decreased by -1.5% to €1.6 billion year-on-year.
Erbitux sales fell -4.8% to €215 million although Merck’s biggest brand, multiple sclerosis treatment Rebif, grew by 3.5% to €499 million in the second quarter of 2013 due in the main to price increases.
Merck is resigned to a period of at best moderate growth and has already confirmed there will be no major new pharma launches this year or next.
Europe was again tough for Merck Serono in Q2, whose performance in the region shrunk by -2.7% – although there was growth from North America (3.5%), emerging markets (5.2%) and the rest of the world (13.5 per cent).
The manufacturer says its economy drive, called ‘Fit for 2018’ was making headway, with plans underway to cut more than 10% of its workforce in Germany by the end of 2015.
The global efficiency programme is ‘producing excellent results’, insisted Merck chairman Karl-Ludwig Kley, although he admitted there were ‘currency headwinds’.
Despite this, consumer health sales were down -4.5% to €116 million in the quarter due to lower sales in Europe, the division’s largest market.
However, Q2 sales at life science tools division Merck Millipore were up 2.6% to €666 million (Q2 2012: €649 million).
The company has already said Merck Serono’s HQ will be moved from Geneva to Darmstadt, with the loss of 500 jobs across Swiss operations and the transfer of another 750 to other locations.
It has experienced a number of regulatory setbacks, including the disappointment of multiple sclerosis drug cladribine which was expected to reach blockbuster sales, but was scrapped when regulators were unconvinced.
Adam Hill
Related Content
Exscientia enters AI drug discovery collaboration with Merck KGaA
Exscientia has announced a new collaboration with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, with a focus on …
Merck KGaA’s cancer drug Bavencio gets EU approval
The EC has approved Merck KGaA’s BAVENCIO (avelumab) as monotherapy for the first-line maintenance treatment …
Company veteran Belén Garijo named as Merck KGaA’s first-ever female CEO
German pharma firm Merck KGaA has taken the decision to appoint its first female Chief …
